the missionshandbook

1500 years of Irish missionaries bringing to new communities worldwide 6 14

35 76 contents

Introduction...... 3 Reflections from Northern Nigeria.... 35 For 1500 years Irish missionaries have travelled the world to The growing need to replace conflict with peace bring Christianity to new communities. Kimmage Development Centre...... 51 Missionary Stories...... 6 Celebrating 40 years in 2014 3 Sisters share their stories Irish Educational Organisations...... 54 Ethopia...... 14 A comprehensive A-Z list In conversation with Fr. Owen Lambert. Irish Retreat Centres...... 61 Net Ministries...... 20 Countrywide list of Retreats Ministries Ireland encourages young people to love Jesus and embrace the life of the Church. . NGO’s in Ireland...... 71 Countrywide list of Retreats My Story...... 23 Deo Mwanje shares his remarkable story The Future of Missions...... 76 Trevor Stevenson reflects Irish Missionary Organisations...... 29 A comprehensive A-Z list

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The Missions Handbook 1 he first documented Irish Tmissionary was St. Columba, one of The Twelve Apostles of Ireland, who travelled to Scotland around 563 to set up an Abbey on the island of Iona. Over the next few centuries, this settlement became one of the most significant Christian and Scholastic centres in Europe. St. Aidan was a scholar of St. Columba’s monastery and from 635 was responsible for the construction of churches, monasteries and schools throughout Northumbria. He was loved for his charity and dedication to the disadvantaged, as well as his gentle approach to Christian conversion.

One of the most successful Irish Missionaries was St. Columbanus who was born in the Kingdom of Meath in 543. While studying in Bangor Abbey around 590, he organised a mission to Continental Europe and over the following 20 years, established a number of monastic centres throughout France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. By the 11th century, the teachings of Columbanus had spread across Continental Europe, through his many disciples and over 100 FOR monasteries had been established. By the 15th century, many of these monasteries were in decline, due to financial issues and fewer missionaries being sent from 1500 YEARS Ireland. Ireland was going through a reformation of its own, with a move from Irish Missionaries have Celtic to Roman Christianity which saw a more formal and enclosed organisation. travelled the world to Ireland was no longer ruled by Catholics bring Christianity to new and priests had to travel abroad to study. communities. Continued on pg. 5

The Missions Handbook 3 A missionary must learn to live within the community and listen to their needs and wants. A missionary cannot impose their own ideals on a community but rather teach through integration.

Many continued their teachings in Italy but were not Many of the people I have met on the journey to develop encouraged to go further afield as with the earlier this publication have devoted their lives to God but admit missions. Ireland was now considered a mission field that religion plays only a part in what they do. Their and when their studies were completed, priests were ability to integrate, educate and challenge their new encouraged to return home to help maintain a Catholic community is necessary to achieve any success in their presence. position and has less to do with the organised religion we experience in Ireland. A missionary must learn to The Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829 was the live within the community and listen to their needs and beginning of Catholic Emancipation in Ireland. Many wants. A missionary cannot impose their own ideals on a Irish congregations founded in Europe came to help community but rather teach through integration. the church in Ireland, including the Spiritans, Society of African Missions (SMA) and Medical Missionaries of Mary, As recently as the 1960s, there were thousands of Irish who still have a presence here today. Ireland’s interest missionaries throughout the world. Every parish knew a in Africa began with these Missionary Societies and by Missionary and many families had brothers and sisters 1916 there were over 6,000 men and women missionaries who were members of a missionary organisation. Today, throughout Africa, Asia, America. The following there are an estimated 1,500 Irish missionaries worldwide decades would see huge changes as missionaries had to and yet the majority if today’s missionaries come from the deal with social justice, environmental issues and it would countries western missionaries infiltrated throughout the also see the emergence of a new secular missionary last century. movement as volunteerism became fashionable. Telephony, Social Media and affordable transport have Irish missionaries have worked in the most remote and made the world more accessible. Vaccinations and marginalised communities throughout the world and medication have helped prevent death and suffering. have risen to unrelenting challenges to assist people in Communication and dialogue between world leaders need. Our history of famine, conflict and loss has helped continues to keep many nations peaceful despite threats us to empathise with those in similar situations today. of war. And yet, communities, both abroad and at home It is an incredibly selfless individual who leaves their are still in need of guidance and assistance. The selfless home, with all its familiarities and comforts, to devote dedication of Missionaries is reflected in every educated themselves to making life better for others. Throughout child, every successful crop, every working well and every the centuries, spreading the Christian message was done available medical facility but most importantly, the ability by members of religious orders but with the development to improve the quality of life of whole communities of the modern world, many lay-people feel a vocation through their dedication and selflessness. to help the disadvantaged and can be as effective in spreading Christian values where most needed. The role of a missionary is not clearly defined. In a world where religion has become unfashionable to young people, how K. Mooney can a missionary show the world that spirituality and something to believe in will help them in life?

4 The Missions Handbook The Missions Handbook 5 MISSIONARY STORIES 3 SISTERS SHARE THEIR STORIES

Tis well I remember the first night in Lagos, we were met by two OLA Sisters and we edged our way through the throng of bright eyed, dark, friendly faces to a rickety lorry which brought us with our fourteen well packed crates to St. Mary’s Broad Street, Lagos.

“Bliss it was in that dawn to be alive, Some (missionaries) survived a few months, the longest But to be young (and a missionary) two and a half years in what was then a cluster of fishermen’s huts, a paradise for mosquitos and according very heaven” to a British surgeon, “the father and mother of all fevers” on her first return journey, Sr. Antoine Fuohy from near (with apologies to Wordsworth, the parenthesis is mine) Abbeyfeale, died at sea in 1907, while Sr. Salese, Ellen Leahy, Athea worked there from 1908 to 1935. Of course That is how I felt on the 21st of November 1951 as I landed the discovery of quinine and the introduction of Christian with four OLA companions in Lagos, Nigeria where the Education have brought about far reaching physical and Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles were the first missionary social changes since then. Sr. Rosarii O’Sullivan Sisters in 1873. As if touched by the Pentecost flame that changed fearful fishermen into fearless apostles, young Tis well I remember the first night in Lagos, we were met French and Irish girls responded to the urgent invitation from Athea, Co. Limerick became a Missionary Sister of years with boundless energy and joy as she recalls the by two OLA Sisters and we edged our way through the of the SMA pioneer priests. “In Lagos you die, let them come Our Lady of Apostles in 1944 and set out on her first years among the peoples of northern Nigeria where she throng of bright eyed, dark, friendly faces to a rickety lorry quickly those who want to bring Jesus to souls and souls to ‘missionary journey’ into Africa as a teacher in 1951. spent some 40 years as a missionary. In her own simple which brought us with our fourteen well packed crates to Jesus” Sr. Rosarii is now retired at Ardfoyle Convent in Cork and and humble way Sr. Rosarii sums up the story of her life in St. Mary’s Broad Street, Lagos. from the banks of ‘the Lovely Lee’ she looks back ore the two words “Deo Gratias”

6 The Missions Handbook The Missions Handbook 7 To my joy I met up with my sister Liam (O’Sullivan) that report was quite favourable and senior Cambridge results thousands of assembled for three days and nights with enthusiastic laity and many vocations to the religious evening. We talked well into the night sharing home matched it. The school’s emphasis on the extracurricular around the Eucharistic King in adoration, praise and life. news in dim lamp light at 90 degrees while mosquitos activities such as debates and quizzes Christmas plays petition in the finest African tradition. A year later we had hissed and danced around us. Heading 600 miles north and operettas, netball matches and sports got high praise. a similar experience in Kaduna with the visit of John So, like Ulysses, “I’m part of all I’ve met”, enriched and for Kaduna, the capital of the north next day where I Another major historical event celebrated with great Paul 11. It was good to be there, they were great days! energised by these cheerful, friendly people, generous was to spend the next 30 odd years. Kaduna was even pomp and pageantry was the Queen’s visit to Nigeria in in poverty, patient and hopeful in adversity and always then a mosaic of many of ethnic groups of diverse origin, 1956. And of course Independence in 1960 was another And my final teaching post in Nigeria was in the Minor grateful. religion, language and tribal customs, and they somehow major historical and unique Celebration. Excitement, joy Seminary in Jos with two other OLA Sisters, preparing managed to live in relative peace and harmony. I set foot and happiness, pride and self-confidence filled the air young men for the priesthood – a great privilege indeed. As I look back over the years all I can say is “thank God” . in Sacred Heart , Kaduna, one of the first to train – unforgettable moments. But we had our sorrowful Today Nigeria has a well-established and vibrant Church primary teachers. It was run by Sr. Gregory Dillon from moments too. Soon afterwards Sr. Assumpta Cronin from Abbeyfeale, a woman of faith, vision and courage. Long Cork nearly died of meningitis, a little boarder searching before Vatican 2 declared that “schools served not only to for water was drowned and I got news of my mother’s form Christian youths but also to raise human dignity and death. All happened together! promote human conditions” our Sisters had embarked on programmes of education, especially for women that gave As missionaries we are forever on the move to where told us of them a new self-awareness and enabled them to express the need is greatest. And so I was on the road again Sister Corona O’Brien their personal and national hopes and aspiration in their to Marymount Secondary School in Benin in the Mid- many years on mission in Africa, working with others to improve the own rich cultures. western region of Nigeria where I was to spend the situation of women. She continues to be involved in healing work today. next two years in the education and formation of young The day’s routine began at 5.15 a.m. with Morning Prayer, women and children: I was soon recalled to OLA Training mass, hostel work; breakfast and classes up to 2p.m. College, Akwanga, in the north, to give a helping hand in followed by lunch and the evenings were devoted to the college which was being upgraded. This coincided games, athletics, red cross, girl guides, various societies with the period of the civil was in Nigeria and we were and library, all part of building up good inter-religious privileged to share the little we had to the many in need dialogue and interpersonal relations! On Saturdays there of medication, food and shelter as they were fleeing for was preparation for teaching practice, home science safety from perilous roads and situations. classes and the cleaning of the parish church! The , study, home visitation, hospital and prison I was privileged to be part of the formation of The Sisters visits were all part of the school curriculum. Life could of Our Lady of Fatima - an indigenous group of Sisters in be tough too, especially for the women who spent long Jos, from 1975 to ’78. Now a thriving Congregation the hours farming and harvesting or, with a baby on the back, Sisters involved in education, medical work and a wide carrying loads to the market returning home to spend long range of pastoral work all over northern Nigeria. My hours preparing food for the extended family - family life journey continued and this time it was down to Shendam and values were always a priority. Government Girls’ Secondary School. It was still in its infancy and of non-denominational multi-ethnic groups. I spent the next six years in Queen of Apostles College, The heat was oppressive, the hostels were disused houses, Kakuri, and the first girls’ secondary school in the north and the classrooms vacated offices! Students fetched of Nigeria. So that indigenous girls may prepare for river water and studied by limp light. Things began to secondary education, St. Anne’s Primary School was built take shape and we were greatly assisted by many parents and we scouted far and wide to fill it! Sr. Philomena and husbands of past students who had not forgotten our Woulfe, also from Athea, was in charge of the project. industrious and economical mission methods! Meantime One morning she found the dormitory empty and the Government took over all mission schools, and Queen girls trekking happily along the railway line back home. of Apostles College became Queen Amina College. I was “My home is near Tullamore in rural Ireland. (Education for girls was not well established in those happy that one of my past pupils was appointed It was a farming area and our life style was early days.) With some encouragement they returned of the college. simple, recreation consisting mainly of visiting and years later they were the first educated women and neighbours, dancing and hurling.” the nucleus of Christian homes. I recall the 6 man team I returned to Jos in 1981 where preparations were in Continued on pg. 11 of Her Majesty’s Inspectors who pried into our hostels, full swing for the first National Eucharistic Congress classrooms, office and games’ field for three days, their where Papal delegate, hierarchy, clergy and religious plus

8 The Missions Handbook The Missions Handbook 9 Promoting the wholeness of all peoples After I entered MMM I trained in general nursing and midwifery in our training school in Drogheda. I was then sent to Obudu, Nigeria, where I started a midwifery training school for primary school graduates. It consisted of six months in both classroom and wards. When my MMM sister, Loreto, became ill, I returned to Ireland to care for her. I then obtained a certificate as a clinical nursing instructor and returned to Nigeria. I worked as relief matron in Ogoja, Ibadan, and Ondo.

In 1977 I qualified as a nurse-midwife tutor in Scotland. Back again in Nigeria, I taught in our midwifery training school in Afikpo. There I was challenged by the high number of maternal deaths, often from obstructed labour. Many mothers came to the hospital with their uterus ruptured. Other consequences, in addition to the loss of the child, such as vaginal fistulae, affected them for the rest of their lives. I decided to try to minimize this. In 1984 were volunteers. It was a very practical three-year course. I was fortunate to get leave from teaching and took a basic We accepted students because of their poverty, not four-month Christian course in Sierra Leone. necessarily because of their academic ability. Their talents were rewarded when they finished. We were able to give sewing machines to many due to the generosity of Trocaire and the Irish people. As the girls earned money from their It also seemed relevant to sewing they gradually repaid us.

educate local girls who had I then got a machine from England for making roof tiles. no opportunity for secondary This gave employment and helped to raise funds for the school. After six years I handed over the management to school. a young Nigerian woman. It continued until a few years ago when secondary education became free for all in Abia State. Working with local people I now set about contacting the women in the rural Alert to new situations communities. Many did not come for antenatal care and In 1990 I returned to Ireland to be principal tutor in our it was considered a weakness to deliver in hospital. I met midwifery school. I first updated in the National Maternity with the chiefs and other men and explained that all Hospital in and obtained a Fellowship in Nursing women would not need to come for delivery. If they came in the Royal College of Surgeons. I also completed an MSc to the antenatal clinic some would be able to deliver at in education to help our student midwives. home with the local midwife. I started a course for these midwives. In 1998 I went back to Africa, this time to Kabanga, Tanzania and taught in our midwifery school. In 2006 I It also seemed relevant to educate local girls who returned to Ireland. had no opportunity for secondary school. Many did not have primary education. With much help from Misereor, I am now 76 years old and retired from formal activity. Gorta, and Trocaire I converted a building in the local Though I am still working I no longer have the pressure church compound. I built a classroom and dormitory to of preparing students for formal state examinations. I am accommodate some of the hundreds who wanted to train busy in our Motherhouse treating Sisters using chiropody, in domestic science and agriculture. Most of the teachers healing massage, and reflexology.

The Missions Handbook 11 Sr. Mairead Gorman spent most of her mission life in Ethiopia. She told us of the challenges of dealing with famine and working with nomadic peoples.

I am from Armagh, Ireland, in the countryside about five miles outside the town. I am eighty-two years old and am based in Drogheda. Before I joined MMM, I was a shorthand typist-telephonist. Later I became secretary to the manager for the company for which I worked. After I entered I trained as a nurse in England and as a midwife in Drogheda.

Responding to needs My first missionary assignment was in 1968 to Kitovu, in Masaka, Uganda, where I was local bursar. I was assigned to Ethiopia in 1976 but because of the political situation there I couldn’t get a visa right away. In the meantime I worked in Tanzania. I worked on the wards in Kabanga clinic was built and MCH outreach clinics established Hospital and spent a lot of time in the mother and child all over our catchment area. Later a community health health (MCH) outreach clinics with Sister Damien Corcoran project was developed when Sister JoAnn Mullen joined (RIP). In Namanyere Hospital, I was with Sister Lelia Cleary. us. This included providing borehole wells. Water is a It was similar to Kabanga but was a smaller hospital with precious commodity in a semi-desert area. We also helped fewer outreach clinics. In 1980 there was widespread with small scale farming, incoming generating projects, famine in Ethiopia. I was in Namanyere and got an urgent women’s promotion, literacy, sewing and other household message on the radio-telephone to get myself to Nairobi. skills, and hygiene. We gave HIV/AIDS education on a daily Sister Joanne Bierl, now on our Congregational Team, was basis. I worked mainly in the curative clinic, in MCH, and also assigned to Ethiopia and was awaiting her visa. She in HIV education. was based in Kenya. Now our visas had come. Ready for new challenges Joining resources Later I worked in our mission in Miqe, Sidamo Province. We spent our first year in a very remote area called Kamba, in Once a nomadic people, they are now settled. We had Gemo Gofa Province, doing famine relief work. Fortunately a curative clinic and a nutrition unit. Unlike the Borana the famine in this area hadn’t reached the stage where we children, those in Miqe were very malnourished. The had to set up feeding camps. There was a lot of malaria activities were similar to those in Borana. The big changes among the children and adults, as well as chest infections, I saw when I came home were that people had better diarrhoea, etc. Once they got the necessary treatment and houses and a better lifestyle in general. They could food it was surprising how quickly their condition began afford more modern conveniences. There were many to improve and more serious famine was prevented. positive things. At the same time, I feel there is too much The numbers attending were overwhelming, but with commercialism. There are big stores and supermarkets and the good support of our team we learned to cope. The all kinds of things made attractive to buy. Do we really Catholic Secretariat and the Ethiopian Government sent in need all these things? It is sad to see smaller shops close adequate supplies of food and medicines. down and the big stores taking over.

When the famine was under control and we were able to I am now working in Aras Mhuire, a facility where some of withdraw from the area, we were invited by the Spiritan our Sisters receive nursing care. I am involved in pastoral Fathers to open a clinic among the Borana nomads. care, but as with my mission experience this includes This was another challenge and a new and enriching miscellaneous jobs! It is a privilege to be able to help experience. After doing a needs’ assessment, a curative those who have given so much in their lives to others.

The Missions Handbook 13 on human development, and the slide into critically low In Conversation with levels of poverty by working within the social structure of each region and providing them with the skills and education to support their own communities. APA strive Fr. Owen Lambert to create an environment where children can realize their rights, including those of survival and development, health, education and protection from abuse and neglect.

People of Bonga Village, Keffa discussing the food and water situation with Owen Lambert

Father Owen Lambert spent 30 years as a Missionary in Ethiopia. He grew up in Wicklow and studied Economics and Psychology and Theology before being ordained in the Holy Ghost Spiritans Congregation in 1973. He was one of the first students of Kimmage DSC in 1974, where he undertook a Diploma in Development Studies and shortly after completion, at the age of 29, was appointed as a Missionary to Ethiopia. Father Owen arrived in Ethiopia R-L Archibishop Timateos, Orthodox of Addis Ababa. Ethiopia at the beginning of a Civil War that would last until 1991 meeting the late Augustine O’Keeffe CSSp and Owen Lambert CSSp. and leave 1.9 million people dead. The first cases of HIV were detected in Ethiopia in 1984, with a confirmed case of aids first documented in 1986. Aids grew rapidly in urban “This vision that inspired the creation of APA has been areas of Ethiopia in the late 1980’s but when the Marxist born out of family homes across southern and northern Derg Army was demobilised in 1991, one in four of the Ethiopia - where so many beautiful people are no more. 400,000 troops were HIV positive. They returned to their It rises to shine out from the laughter and again the tear homes, families and villages with no information, support, filled eyes of beautiful children left to journey forward counselling, medication or treatment and this fanned the without the loving presence of their parents. From the pandemic of Aids throughout rural Ethiopia for years to life giving determination of elderly grandparents who come. have lost their beloved sons and daughters and who now in the evening tide of their lives are entrusted with Currently up to 3 million people in Ethiopia have Aids, with caring for their grandchildren of tender age. From the over 4 million children orphaned, many as a consequence. Ethiopia dedicated service and care of health personnel, careers, Wit young parents dying from aids, grandparents and counsellors, Muslim and Christian people alike and their communities are left to care for the children. With few spiritual leaders - all have touched and inspired it. The professionals or working adults, 25% of households in Village community in Pemba, Zanzibar in conversation with their religious leaders Juma family and the friends, a mother`s humanity, indeed of Ethiopia are headed by children. and Ahmad and Owen Lambert on the HIV-Aids crisis for children the humanity of every person and out of being personally

there for 27 years with that part of humanity where Father Owen Lambert returned to Ireland in 2003 and set people are hurting most grievously. up Aids Partnership with Africa to generate awareness and Christianity, under the Oriental Orthodox Church, has been present in Ethiopia support for the people with Aids in Africa. The organisation Finally out of the personal belief and experience that works within the social structure of each region and aims since 1 AD and declared the state religion by King Ezana the Great in 330 AD. our humanity can be so noble, generous, thoughtful, to give them the skills and education to support their own so caring and so dedicated to others and rise above communities. Today, 60% of Ethiopians are Christian with The Ethiopian Orthodox Church still the largest of and beyond the ME. We can rise to embrace with full awareness and willingly share this moment of global the Christian organisations with 45 million members, followed by the Protestant church with 13 Aid Partnership Africa [APA] works to save lives, prevent human tragedy by confronting the crises which HIV/AIDS million members and the Roman with 500,000 members. human suffering, limit the devastating impact AIDS has presents”. - Fr. Owen Lambert CSSp.

14 The Missions Handbook The Missions Handbook 15

“Children are people; they grow into tomorrow, only as they live today”

Friedrich Froebel, 19th Century Educator

Malawi in central Africa is a country with a population of fifteen million people, with fifty per cent under eighteen years of age. At a global level, Malawi is rated Through their involvement with the local community they came face to face with the reality of children on the streets one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. of the city and the ensuing physical and psychological trauma experienced by the children, their guardians and the community. In keeping with their mission to bring Christ’s healing, love and compassion to suffering humanity in the In an environment of never ending poverty, without many marginalization by the community, leading in time to abuse, manner of John of God, the Brothers and their co-workers essential life sustaining supports, exacerbated by a high incidence exploitation and in some cases a violent death. For these children with the support of the traditional and civil authorities of HIV/AIDS, many vulnerable children become disengaged from their ‘today’ is one of loss and their ‘tomorrow’ is without hope. established in 2002 the Umoza Children’s Program for the family and community, migrating to the streets of the major rehabilitation and repatriation of these children found living centres of population in a futile effort to escape hunger, hardship In 1994 the Irish Brothers of Saint John of God founded a on the streets of Mzuzu. and humiliation. Disengaged from minimal support they quickly community based mental health service in the city of Mzuzu in become labelled “street children”, with consequent rejection and Northern Malawi. Today the Umoza Children’s Program, in partnership with Kindernothilfe (KNH), a German children’s aid NGO, uses income generation initiatives; training in child protection and a child rights approach in the provision of sustainable child rights. The program champions child rights and is the opportunities for vulnerable and marginalized children to lead organization in the promotion of child rights and child develop their full potential, through their right to provision, protection among Community Based Organisations providing Saint John of God Brothers protection, and participation. The program operating out of care for orphans and vulnerable children in Mzuzu and its four drop-in centres, situated in four of the largest townships environs. in the city, reaches out, not only to children condemned to street life, but to their siblings, guardians and the community. Children, migrating to the streets of Mzuzu, from other districts of Malawi are with the support of the police victims In fulfilment of Christ’s command to care for the sick, Luke Six hundred and thirty-six boys and girls are registered. support group; social welfare; and the juvenile justice forum Hospitallers of Saint John of God Five hundred and twenty children are fully supported and encouraged and assisted in repatriation to their home 10:9, today’s include integrated back into the primary school system. Fifty one community. Prior to repatriation each child is assigned as well as the Brothers, all those laity who help us fulfil have gone on to boarding secondary schools. In 2013 two a social worker, who hears the child’s story; contacts the Christ’s mission of healing in the world. Our mission is to boys having completed the MSCE exams, qualified to sit child’s community; ensures that their immediate physical, bring Christ’s healing, love and compassion to suffering the University entrance exam. The focus of the program has medical and psychological needs are provided for. The social humanity through Hospitality in the manner of Saint John moved from the care of the individual child found on the worker accompanies the child to their home; advocates on of God street, to the empowerment of the ‘family unit’ to address the their behalf, facilitating reconciliation within the family and underlying issues leading to family break-up. acceptance by the community. Where available children and their families are linked to services within their districts for Pray that John’s vision of a more compassionate world ‘Community’ representatives are involved in the management further support. may never die. of the drop-in centres and the on-going development of sustainable opportunities for the children’s development. The Umoza Children’s Program, through its integration into Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God, Provincial Curia, Guardians participate, through guardian support groups, in the life of the community, offers more and more vulnerable improved care of their children. Guardians are offered training children the opportunity of a bright ‘TODAY’ which opens up Granada House, Stillorgan, Co Dublin in positive parenting; literacy classes; self-help groups; the possibility of an even brighter ‘TOMORROW’. Tel: 00353 1277 1495 [email protected] WWW.SJOG.IE The Missions Handbook 19 The five of us on team work with Fr. Seamus, NET stands the local parish priest of Delvin, to put on Net for National lots of events on for the youth here, stuff that Evangelisation I only wish was going on in my town when I was growing up; weekly youth groups (for Teams. We each secondary and older primary students), Ministries weekly music sessions and youth masses are Catholic Missionaries who every second week. We also just finished up with our Confirmation students last month share Jesus’ and were able to journey with them as they message with began to make the Catholic faith their own. young people in a Watching them and praying for them as they received the Holy Spirit was such a team format. beautiful and powerful experience.

There are so many different things - big and small - about my experiences here that have made this year so inspiring and beautiful, too many to count! In a town of about 500 people, there are so many young in Delvin who are willing to give up their free time from school so as to learn more about Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him; even some of these spend an extra night of their week with us so as to receive training on how to lead the youth group after our year on NET finishes! The young people here continue to inspire me in my own faith and I can only thank God for them.

One of the most amazing things I have witnessed is the faith of an 18 year old, who Ministries Ireland encourages young • Equipping youth workers and young adults with the decided last year that he wanted to become people to love Jesus and embrace the ministry skills needed for evangelisation Catholic. Every week for the past 5 months, NET life of the Church. NET came to Ireland in my team member I would meet with him to 2004 and now recruits and trains teams to evangelise to During his papacy, Pope John Paul II called for the youth to teach him in the faith and to pray with him, over 20,000 youth every year in churches, schools, parishes, minister to the youth. Young people have a desire to share doing our best to journey with him and to and dioceses across Ireland and within the Paisley and their faith and are stepping out by volunteering to share help him in any way we can. Glasgow dioceses of Scotland. the gospel message with everyone they encounter and,

in turn, young people are also waiting to be encountered. But it’s amazing how much Jesus has used NET’s mission, to encourage young people to love Jesus In this generation, the youth are hidden behind a screen us in the hour that we have with him every and embrace the life of the Church, is accomplished by: and don’t have the opportunity to experience anything In spite of the town seeming small with nothing week – his desire to follow Jesus seems to different from what their immediate peers post on a too exciting going on, my time as a missionary grow even stronger every time we see him, • Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus through a personal newsfeed. NET provides an opportunity for young people with NET in Delvin has been not just well spent, so much so that now he’s trying to get to witness of faith to meet both of these desires: to give and also to receive mass every day for Lent! God is no doubt at • Inviting young people to live for Jesus on a personal level, to receive true friendship centered on but amazing. work in his heart and ours! • Forming young people in Christian character through an encounter with Jesus. the study and practice of our faith Anthony.

20 The Missions Handbook The Missions Handbook 21 Ecumenics Logo.pdf 1 10/23/13 2:41 PM

Irish School of Ecumenics My Story

TheM.Litt. Irish and Ph.D. SchoolDegrees – Dublin of andEcumenics, College Dublin. Email: [email protected] Deo Mwanje The IrishISE isSchool recognised of Ecumenics world-wide is a cross-border, for the unique graduate manner institute in whichopportunity it brings tothe have fields their of names politics, included sociology, in the relevant ethics, specialist in Trinitytheology College and Dublin, religion located into in aboth disciplined Dublin and interaction. in Belfast, The Schoolpanel offers of Accredited supervision Mediators. of Masters The course of Letters is also accredited by the committed(M. Litt.) to the and study Doctor and promotion of Philosophy of dialogue, (Ph.D.) conflict work resolution, in a range Mediators’ of fields Institute of specialisation of Ireland.The including: course enjoysReligion a twelve and year success My name is Deo Mwanje. I am from Uganda peacePolitics; and reconciliation Interreligious in Ireland Studies; and worldwide. Politics of The Peace approach and Conflict;record. Intercultural Theology; International Relations; of ISE is thoroughly interdisciplinary, in its three taught M.Phil. and I would like to share my life story. Ethics in International Affairs; Ecumenical Theologies and Theologies of Reconciliation. courses and in its range of Ph.D. topics – thirty students are currently Graduates include trade unionists, members of the Garda Siochana, doingM.Phil. doctoral researchin Intercultural in such interdisciplinary Theology &fields Interreligious as politics, Studieslawyers, – Dublinsenior policy makers in human resources and industrial sociology,Email: ethics, [email protected] theology and interreligious studies. ISE’s courses are relations, civil and public servants, members of the Probation Services internationally renowned for their innovative curriculum, embracing and NGO leaders. Teaching takes place from September to April. There theoreticalIntercultural and contextually Theology based & research. Interreligious Such research Studies is at(ITIS) is a ground-breakingare two sessions (six course hours) perthat week explores over 24 the weeks, complex and two Saturday was born in Uganda, deep down in the village, the heartrealities of ISE, of where intercultural students engageand interreligious with crucial issues relationships. facing Participantsworkshops. are enabled to draw on a wide and about 100 miles from the city centre of Kampala. I governments,interdisciplinary international range bodies of scholarshipsuch as the U.N., – combining faith leaders, emerging and established fields such as comparative theology, have one mother who came to Uganda alone at the Having only one mother NGOsintercultural and peace organisations ethics, political in an ill-divided science and yet increasinglyreligious studies. There are four module tracks through the course, of Opportunities for ISE students and graduates: age of 14, as a refugee. She ran away from the first cosmopolitanwhich students world. ISE choose currently one; runs Christian three M.Phil. Ecumenical taught courses, Theologies, These Comparative courses attract Theology students andfrom Interreligious every continent Studies,and during their I and one father is very two inWorld Dublin Christianity and one in Belfast and Intercultural (these may be takenTheology, alternatively and Religions time and at EthicsISE they in have a Pluralist the opportunity World. to interact with established genocide that was occurred in 1940 in Rwanda. My father at diploma level) and an Evening Diploma in Conflict & Dispute international scholars, leaders and diplomats in these fields. Students had been a successful man with 300 acres of land and a M.Phil. in International Peace Studies – Dublin unusual in Uganda as we Resolution Studies. develop their capacity to think analytically and about some of the friend of Haile Selassie but he lost everything during the Email: [email protected] most pressing issues of our world, in an environment that values C Civil War. Having only one mother and one father is very M. Phil.International in Intercultural Peace StudiesTheology provides and Interreligious an interdisciplinary Studies approachmulticultural to understanding perspectives, intellectual the sources rigour, of armed creativity conflict and best exist in extended families M (IT &and IS) war. - Dublin: It examines this course the promisesconditions a rigorous for achieving and challenging sustainable practice. peace through peacemaking and peacebuilding. unusual in Uganda as we exist in extended families and and if you have trouble Y time ofThe study course in an drawsincreasingly on the significant fields of fieldinternational that has emergedrelations, ethics, development studies and conflict resolution. Our if you have trouble with a parent, you go to your Aunt from theological and religious studies scholarship. Drawing on the These competencies provide a solid foundation for a range of career CM graduates are employed in the diplomatic service, in NGOs and international organisations such as the UN, in or Uncle for advice or help. My Mum and Dad were not school’s traditional strengths in ecumenics, IT & IS offers course and service opportunities. ISE graduates, at every level of society, with a parent, you go to media and education. Others continue to PhD courses. married, they lived together for some time but separated MY participants a critical grasp of theoretical and practical issues involved help to shape public policy, and motivate others by their imaginative in understanding inter-religious and inter-cultural realities. leadership. They are employed in a wide range of fields, including: when I was about 7 years. I lived sometimes with my Mum CY M.Phil. in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation – Belfast your Aunt or Uncle for Email: [email protected] the diplomatic service, international organisations such as the UN, and sometimes with my Dad. It was quite challenging as CMY M. Phil. In International Peace Studies (IPS) - Dublin: NGOs, as workers in health, education, the media, and in church and This course is a unique opportunity to study in a society in transition from conflict. Students can specialise in my Dad was an alcoholic and introduced me to alcohol advice or help. K Ireland has gained a strong international reputation for peace studies. community based organisations. Others continue to Ph.D. and higher ISE’s MasterInternational courses Peace in Studies conflict (IPS) resolution course, regarded or reconciliation, as pioneer or pursueresearch. a joint Furthermore, Master course their studies across at bothISE often areas. prove Conflict a catalyst for when I was very young. My Mum had her own difficulties. Resolution offers specialisation in practical skills, meeting thechange needs both of bothpersonally experienced and professionally. practitioners and those in worldwide terms, is the longest-running of its kind on the island. the teachers and they would say to me “how come your Courseswishing take account to enter of perspectivesthis field. Reconciliation from political theory, Studies human offers an interdisciplinary approach to politics, theology and I remember the day my Dad told me to go to school. I was rights,ethics development and is excellentand gender preparation studies, and fromfor Ph.D. conflict study. analysis FuRThER InFORMaTIOn: Dad has money to drink alcohol but he has no money to 10 years old. He said, ”go to school and I will bring the and resolutionThe Master processes. in Conflict Our students Resolution are immersed will be indelivered a forefront through short-block intensive modules. pay our tuition?”. This was very difficult for me because course of study that examines the causes and consequences of war and M.Phil. students can study full-time for 12 months tuition fee”. I went to school for a whole year but my Dad I desperately wanted to be in school but the teachers armedM.Phil. conflict, students but so also can in studyresearch full-time on the resources for 12 monthsand norms or for,part-time or part-time for 24 formonths. 24 months. never turned up to pay my tuition, so I had to leave. I went demanded money and I could do nothing about that. effective,Postgraduate ethical and sustainable Diploma peacein Conflict building &policies. Dispute Resolution Studies – Dublin The Master in Conflict Resolution will be delivered to another school, 10 miles away, leaving early to walk Email: [email protected] M.Phil. in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (CRR) - through short-block intensive modules. there each day. My father told me the same thing -go to I became angry with the world - angry that I had only one Belfast:This this course course interests provides those,unique inand both unparalleled the public opportunities and private sectors, who wish to study civil mediation and other school and tell them I will bring the tuition. I didn’t think Full details about these courses or all relevant closing Mum and a Dad who was an alcoholic, so when I was 14, I to learnnon-adversarial about conflict transformationdispute and conflict in the class-room resolution and processes through (ADRs) which are increasingly a part of legislative and that I was lying to these teachers because I believed my management structures in the EU and internationally. Throughare available an alliance at the with following Mediation websites: Forum-Ireland those decided to join the army. I heard you got to use a gun and varied community encounter and civic engagement opportunities. father would pay the tuition as he had said, but he never It combineswho complete taught modules, the CDRS experiential course modules, will have and an independent opportunity towww.tcd.ie/ise; have their names www.tcd.ie/Graduate_Studies. included in the relevant specialist I wanted to scare all the people who were mean to me and research.panel The of courseAccredited is designed Mediators. to suit the The needs course of specialists is also accreditedalready by the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland. This one turned up. If one school chased me away, I had to find demanded money from me. There was a truck that would To apply on line – please refer to: workingyear in course the fields is taughtof conflict at ISE resolution on two and evenings reconciliation, per week those over 24 weeks (September to April) with two practical, another one, so I attended 4 different schools. When I www.tcd.ie/ise/_study/apply/ came to my village and recruit children to be soldiers so new toskill-based the study of mediation conflict resolution training andworkshops reconciliation held and on thoseSaturdays. was in school, I was taught to sew banana leaves to use seeking to build towards a career in this field. Some modules are I made my way towards it with the intention of enrolling offeredFor in further week-long information intensive blocks about to theseaccommodate courses the or needsall relevant of closingApplications dates will please be considered refer to theafter following the closing websites: dates as wrapping paper and I sold these banana leaves in the but I got there too late and it had already left. I had to find only if places remain available. busy www.tcd.ie/iseprofessionals. ; www.tcd.ie/Graduate_Studies. market to earn money to buy my books and pencils. I was something else to do, as there were no longer any schools To apply on line – please refer to: www.tcd.ie/ise/_study/apply/. very bright in school so the teachers were very patient Diploma in Conflict and Dispute Resolution Studies (CDRS) in the area that I could attend and I wanted to get away Applications will be considered after the closing dates only ifIrish places School remain. of Ecumenics, with me but after 4 years, I now had a problem of the - Dublin: This evening course examines the causes of conflict in from my village. I met a man who came to the village to Trinity College Dublin, debt from all the schools in my surrounding area. Each corporate,Irish statutory,School of voluntary, Ecumenics, political, and community-based683 Antrim Road, find children to work for him in the city. Tel. +353.1. 8974770, Fax: +353.1.6725024. school was within a 10 mile radius, so I would often meet settingsTrinity and provides College training Dublin, in Alternative DisputeBelfast Resolution BT15 4EG.(ADR) Continued on pg. 25 processesCollege such Green,as adjudication, Dublin facilitation, 2. ombudsmanshipTel. +44.28.90770087 and mediation, and addresses internationally significant commissions and 683 antrim Road, Belfast BT15 4EG, Tel. +353.1.8964770 Fax: +44.28.90373986 tribunals on post-conflict justice. Through an alliance with Mediation Tel. +44.28.90770087, Fax: +44.28.90373986 Forum-IrelandFax: +353.1. those 6725024 who complete the CDRS course will have an The Missions Handbook 23

Untitled-1 1 10/23/13 2:50 PM Sheridans.pdf 1 2/10/14 6:02 PM My Story Deo Mwanje

The man gave me the address where I could find him in fighter to earn money. I used drugs - sniffed petrol, the Capital City (Kampala) and I had to work very hard to marujana - this was a weed that grew everywhere so it get the money to pay for my transport there. I made the was a cheap drug. One day the city council tried to arrest journey by bus at 14 years old and it was the first time I me and I beat them up. I was taken to court and put in have travelled in a vehicle. I remember the experience - I’d prison for one month. I was 17 years old. It was a horrible never seen anything like this - the trees were chasing me experience. The made us work from 7am to 4pm - using from the fields, I felt dizzy with the movement. our hands to dig the land- your hands would be cut and C bleeding every day. I was brought back to court after one M I came to the city with a great focus - I wanted to work month but for some reason they released me - possibly Y hard and earn money but most of all I wanted to buy because of my age - 17 year olds were not supposed to be CM a bicycle. The reason being was the richest man in our taken to the National Prison. MY village owned the only bicycle - it was very rare to see a CY car.

CMY

K When I came to the city, I had many experiences. I knew My father was a Catholic nobody but the man who had come to our village. I went to work for him, selling food on the streets. The food and I never knew what would be baked at home and placed in a basket that I would carry around the city on my head. When all of your my mother believed so we goods were sold, you would return to have the basked were not a religious family refilled. I worked very hard for this man but I wanted to St. Mary’s Drumlish St. Patrick’s Ballinamuck save my money for a bicycle and I knew nothing about and had never even spoken www.drumlishparish.ie banking, so asked the man to keep my money safe for me. I saw people with sandals and I wanted to buy myself a about prayer pair but I did not have the money. One day I found a red right foot sandal and I took it home, hoping that one day I would find its match. Eventually I did find a blue sandal When I left prison, all I wanted to do was commit suicide. I but unfortunately it was for the same foot! I was 16 before couldn’t go home to my village because I was so ashamed I had my first pair of shoes. that I had no money and I had been in prison. I returned to the gym where I had trained to be a street fighter but I worked from 7am to 5pm. Whatever was baked and put in I did not return to my Guns (friends) as I knew they would the basket, had to be sold. It depended on the connections try to stop me from killing myself. I chose to isolate myself The Society takes its name from St Columban, Ireland’s missionary you made and who you knew would buy the produce. After and plotted my suicide. to Europe in the 6th century. about 2 years, I thought I must have enough money to buy a bicycle and I had plans to travel home to my village to I was sleeping alone in an abandoned house one night It was first known as the Maynoth Mission to China and was formally launched in look for my father who I understood was now homeless when I had a dream that would change my life. I dreamt 1918 as a missionary society of diocesan priests. and my mother who I had not seen nor had any contact I saw a moving star, coming towards me - it became so with in all that time. I went to the man and asked him for bright that I could no longer look at it. I covered my face This was something unique, as until then all such movements were religious my money. He said I could have it in a few days. A week and suddenly a voice spoke to me. I had a wound on my congregations. They found others who embraced their vision and the first later I asked him again and got the same reply. The third right foot since childhood and it started to itch. The voice Columbans went to China in 1920, to meet the challenges of its language and culture time I asked him he grabbed me by my clothes and told said, why don’t you remove the upper skin and find out and to share the suffering of its poor. me if I ever asked him for my money again, he would what is itching inside you? I questioned it, why would I kill me and throw me in the ditch. I knew this man was remove the skin of a wound that is healing, but I started capable of what he said because I had seen him with a gun To find out more about what we do, or to subscribe to our newsletter, to remove the skin anyway and as I did, a cobra appeared and he was one of the Idi Amin soldiers, so I had no choice out of my foot and went to attack me. I was terrified but please visit our website. but to leave. I ended up living on the street. as a child, I did not receive comfort when I was scared or upset so to make myself strong, I had made up the name Contact Us I lived with various groups who did drugs and slept in Butterfly Kilometre Screw Spanner Unadjustable. I had ditches and abandoned buildings. I had to learn how vowed never to be adjusted. St Columban’s, Dalgan Park, Navan Co Meath, Ireland to protect myself and how to survive. I became a street Continued on pg. 26 [email protected] | Tel: 046 9021525 www.columban.com The Missions Handbook 25

Columbans Advert.indd 1 1/29/14 1:41 PM My Story Deo Mwanje

The voice said to me, “Why don’t you pray in Jesus’ name and live with me’. Communication was a problem at the live here. The 3rd place is called Kosovo - named for the and ask him to remove the cobra?”. I knew nothing about beginning because I did not speak English but he found similar gangland warfare that took place in Russia. The prayer or Jesus. My father was a Catholic and I never knew lady to teach me to read and write and I learned a lot. 4th place is called Monaku - which means a place of great what my mother believed so we were not a religious family Paul Mahon became my family. I continued to preach in disadvantage. Long ago the King put all the poor people and had never even spoken about prayer. So I replied to the market place and on the streets and live with Paul in this area. And so I went to work. the voice, what should I do? The voice said, pray to Jesus to and after one year my English was good enough to enter remove the cobra. So I closed my eyes and shouted Jesus, Bible School. In June 2001 I planted my first church. We started with pulling the head of the cobra off my foot - I fell from one 3 people. It was a very difficult time. 50 metres from the side of the house to the other. It was very dark. I woke up I went there and failed the interview because I just didn’t church there was a witchcraft shrine and many people from the dream and it was as though the cobra had just have what it takes. Paul fought for me and told them if believed in witchcraft. We met many witch doctors but come out of my foot. While I sat there, one side of the room became bright and Jesus appeared to me and said “I have set you free, now you can follow me” and started to walk in front of me. I got up and began to walk after him but he went through the wall and I hit my head trying to forgiveness. I had been rejected my whole life so struggled follow him! to understand what love was. My mother beat me because of what my father did to her and I never understood why I I had taken drugs in the past but I hadn’t taken any that deserved this. I knew nothing of love but I could feel it in night so I was very scared. I started to think about the the church that day. cobra and about Jesus. If a real cobra had been in my foot I would have been dead. Also, I did not think Jesus could After the service, the preacher invited us to give our be serious - why would he ask me to follow him through a lives to Jesus Christ. I went straight up to the top of the I didn’t make it after one year, they could drop me from from growing up on the street, I had the courage to fight wall that he knows I cannot walk though? So I spent the church to the Administrator and told him my story. He was the school. He knew I was a passionate evangelist. So I back. Paul Mahon visited me and said, Deo, I’m not scared night wondering what to do, crying and shaking with fear shocked but prayed for me to receive Christ. The next day, worked very hard and got my Diploma in Theology. It was a of where you go - I know you can make this work. He left and confusion. I did not know what to do with myself. I had never felt turning point in my life and in 2000 I was invited to preach Uganda for Canada soon afterwards and I never saw him peace like this before and I wanted to share it with all the in Amsterdam by Billy Graham. When I came back from again. In Uganda there is a market place where all the street kids other street kids. I went back out to the street and started Amsterdam, my pastor said, now is the time for you to go come to steal food. I had met a lady there named Jolli who preaching what I had heard in the church: God is Love, God and plant your own church. I did not feel ready to do this. In front of the church was a garbage dump and when I was very kind to me and often gave me food for free. I did is Forgiveness. I tried to persuade boys to come to church. I am not a Pastor, I’m an Evangelist. Please do not get rid saw the kids picking through the food, I remembered how not know why Jolli was so nice to me. She was the only While I preached, people would give me food and some of me and I did not want to leave the only family I knew. life had been for me on the street. When I was on the friend I had. Jolli is still my friend today and is a Pastor in even gave me money so I never had to steal again. I found I felt very bad at the thought of leaving but Paul said it street, I was a problem to everyone but I was treasured in Uganda. out that when you preach, good things come to you! was time for me to go. I had been a Christian for 10 years. God’s hands. I realised I had to help these children and the organisation Treasured Kids was born. Treasured Kids The following day I sought out Jolli to tell her about my It was a means of survival at first but the people I preached Paul Mahon had said to me, look at the gifts God has given currently reaches out to over 600 children. We have an dream. When I did, she started crying and she said Deo, I to started to come to church. Each time the Pastor would you. What can you do with these gifts to show God your Orphanage, an Early Child Development Programme, a am a christian - all my life I have prayed to see Jesus but I say, how did you hear of us/who sent you and they would thanks. What do you need to serve the Lord? I found out Child Sponsorship Programme and a Youth Development have never seen him. Maybe Jesus is the one who removed reply Pastor Deo sent us. Very few people knew me at the I needed four things to serve the Lord: I need something Programme, as well as a church with 400 adult and 700 the cobra from you. If it was really Jesus, why would he church and my English was not very good. One day, a new to eat, I need clothes and I need somewhere to live. Paul child members. With the guns who I led to the church from leave through the wall where I could not follow? I asked. couple came to the church and said that I had sent them. A said, I know God will always make sure you have those this community, we have planted another 5 churches in Maybe God is trying to tell you something, said Jolli. You Canadian missionary by the name of Paul Mahon was new simple things. other slums in the city. need to get down on your knees and say to Jesus, If you are to Ethiopia and asked them where is this Pastor Deo? They real, take me where I can find you. That seemed very simple pointed to me. I did not know what to do so I tried to run I was taken to four slum areas where I would plant my So from the humble beginnings, that is where we are. I so I said out loud, “Jesus, if you are real, tell me where I out of the church but the missionary had seen me. He sent church. The name of the first place was Lusaze - meaning credit all this work to Paul Mahon and his compassion and can find you”. Many days past and every day I would say some ushers to find me and to find out where I was living. death has struck another one - it comes from the killings love for me. these words. Then one day, I heard a voice tell me to walk A young man came and asked if he could walk home with by Idi Amin. Years ago they had nowhere to bury all the down a road. When I got to the crossroads, I asked “where me but I was still living rough, so I said no. When I came to dead bodies so they put them in this place. Whenever the should I go”, but the voice had disappeared. As I stood church the following Sunday, this man told me Paul Mahon tractor would come with the dead bodies, the dwellers there, I heard music coming from the church so I entered wants to know where you stay. I had to tell him, honestly, I would say - ‘death has struck another one’. The 2nd place www.deoministries.org and experienced an amazing feeling of peace. I stayed to don’t have anywhere to live. So Paul Mahon said ‘I have a was called A Place of Holy Guns - it is a place to go when PO Box 3689, Kampala listen to the preacher who spoke about God and love and free house - why don’t you leave where you are and come you are a criminal or need to go underground - hooligans Tel: 0312513385

26 The Missions Handbook The Missions Handbook 27 Bringing Hope in war-torn Sudan Irish Missionary Organisations

Agustinians (OSA) Missionary Sisters of St. Colombian Divine Word Missionaries Taylor‘s Lane, Ballyboden, Dublin 16 Magheramore, Co. Wicklow 133 North Circular Road T: (01) 494 4966 T: (0404) 25008, Dublin 7 F: (01) 494 2457 F: (0404) 62705 T: (0)1 838 6743 E: [email protected] W: www.augustinians.ie Colomboni Missionaries MCCJ Dominican Fathers (OP) 8 Clontarf Road, The Generalate, Brigidine Sisters Provincialate (CSB) Dublin 3 42 The Downs 5 Westfield Road T: (01) 833 0051 Stradbally Road Dublin 6W F: (01) 833 0440 Portlaoise, Co. Laois T: (01) 405 5570/1/2/3 E: [email protected] (01) 405 5682 T/F: (057) 868 0280 F: W: www.comboni.org E: [email protected] The Kiltegan Fathers, also known as St Patrick’s Dominican Sisters (OP) W: www.brigidine.org.au Missionary Society, were founded in 1932 and began Congregation of the Sacred Hearts The Generalate, their work in Nigeria. They now work in fourteen Coudrin House Capuchins 5 Westfield Road 27 Northbrook Road countries, including eight in Africa. Provincial Office Dublin 6W Dublin 6 Capuchin Friary T: (01) 405 5570/1/2/3 T: (01) 660 4898 In 1983 a group of Kiltegan Fathers moved into the 12 Halston Street, Dublin 7 F: (01) 405 5682 F: (01) 668 6590 south of Sudan at the invitation of Bishop Paride Taban, T: (01) 873 3205 Franscisan Brothers (OSF) of the Diocese of Torit. It was a very poor area, that had F: (01) 873 0294 Cross and Passion Sisters Generalate House been devastated in the First Civil War which lasted from E: [email protected] Provincial House Newtown 1955 to 1972. The hope was to bring the Good News, and W: www.capuchinfranciscans.ie 299 Broadshaw Road, Middleton, Mountbellew health care and education, to very disadvantaged people. Manchester, M24 2PF Carmelites Co Galway As it turned out the Second Sudan Civil War had broken T: (0161) 655 3184 Provincial Office of the Carmelites, T: (090) 967 9295 Parish of Urney & Annagelliff, Cavan out a few weeks before they arrived. So from the outset F: (0161) 654 7234 Diocese of Kilmore Gort Muire, Ballinteer F: (090) 967 9687 the group found themselves in a difficult and dangerous Remembering all our native missionaries both past and Dublin 16 present who devote their lives to the service of God's Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent Franciscan Missionary Union situation. However they stayed there throughout the war, T: (01) 298 4014 word around the world. de Paul 8 Merchant’s Quay in solidarity wth the people. F: (01) 298 7221 St. Catherine Provincial House, Dublin 8 W: www.carmelites.ie Dunardagh, Temple Hill, T: (01) 677 7651 It was thererfore very exciting when the Civil War ended in Blackrock, Co. Dublin Carmelite Fathers (OCD) F: (01) 677 7293 2005. And even more so in 2011 when, after a referendum, T: (01) 288 2669 53 Marlborough Road, Dublin 4 the south of the country became independent of the north, F: (01) 283 4485 Franciscan Missionaries of Divine T: (01) 661 7163 and the Republic of South Sudan was born, the world’s Motherhood F: (01) 668 3752, youngest state. The discovery of oil brought the promise Daughters of Mary and Joseph (DMJ) ‘Assisi’, Harbour Road E: [email protected] of prosperity, which would be needed for the rebuilding of Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Ballinasloe W: www.ocd.ie the nation after the ravages of war. Heart (OLSH) Co. Galway 14 Rossmore Avenue Christian Brothers Province Centre T: (090) 964 2320 Templeogue, Dublin 6W. Sadly on December 15, 2013, fighting broke out among Griffith Avenue F: (090) 964 2648 T: (01) 490 3113/490 3200 soldiers in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Since then Marino, Dublin 9 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] the south has teetered on the brink of civil war. NGOs, the T: (01) 807 3300, W: www.fmdinternational.co.uk United Nations and many embassies have evacuated their E: [email protected] De La Salle Provincilate Franciscan Missionaries of St. Joseph workers for safety. The Kiltegan Fathers, along with many 121 Howth Road St. Columban’s, Prague House, Freshford other missionaries, have chosen to stay with the people, Dublin 3 Dalgan Park, Co. Kilkenny, as they did throughout the earlier conflict. Their presence T: (01) 833 1815 Navan, Co. Meath T: (056) 883 2282 there is a tangible sign of hope for a people who face F: (01) 833 9130 T: (046) 902 1525 F: (056) 883 2571 E: [email protected] despair. The motto of the Society is ‘Christ’s love compels F: (046) 902 2799 us.’ Missionaries are still willing to risk their lives for the Gospel. Fr. Tim Redmond The Missions Handbook 29 Irish Missionary ORGANISATIONS

Franciscan Missionary Sisters Marianist Community Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary Presentation Sisters Sisters of St. Clare Society of Jesus for Africa St. Columba’s 23 Cross Avenue Generalate 63 Harolds Cross Road Jesuit Mission Office The Generalate Church Avenue Blackrock, Co. Dublin Monasterevin, Co. Kildare Dublin 6W 28 Upper Sherrard Street 34A Gilford Road Ballybrack, County Dublin T: (01) 288 1708 T: (045) 525 335/525 503 T: (01) 496 6880 Dublin 1 Sandymount T: (01) 285 830 T: (01) 283 6308 F: (045) 525 209 F: (01) 496 6388 T: (01) 836 6509 Dublin 4 F: (01) 836 6510 T: (01) 283 8376 Marist Sisters Missionary Sisters Servants Redemptorists Sisters of St. John of God F: (01) 260 2049 51 Kenilworth Square of the Holy Spirit Provincial Office Provincialate Society of the Sacred Heart Rathgar, Dublin 6 143 Phillipsburgh Avenue Ligouri House, 75 Orwell Road College Road, Kilkenny Provincial Office Franciscan Missionaries of Mary T: (01) 4972196 Fairview, Dublin 3 Rathgar, Dublin 6 T: (056) 22870 76 Home Farm Road Provincial House F: (01) 497 2530 T: (01) 836 9383 T: (01) 406 7100 F: (056) 51411 Drumcondra 5 Vaughan Avenue F: (01) 492 2654 Dublin 9 London W6 OXS, UK Medical Missionaries of Mary of Mary Immaculate Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery T: (01) 8375412 T: +44 (0) 208 748 4077 Congregational Centre House of Retreat Religious Sisters of Charity Springdale Road F: (01) 837 5542 Rosemount Terrace Tyrconnell Road Generalate, Caritas Raheny, Dublin 5 Holy Cross Sisters Booterstown, Blackrock Inchicore, Dublin 8 15 Gilford Road, Dublin 4 T: (01) 847 8351 St. Patrick’s Mission Society 86 Glen Road Co. Dublin. T: (01) 454 1160/61 T: (01) 269 7833 F: (01) 848 5764 Kiltegan Belfast T: (01) 228 2722 F: (01) 454 1138 F: (01) 260 3085 Co. Wicklow St. of St. Joseph of Cluny BT 11 8BP F: (01) 283 4626 T: (059) 647 3600 Rosminian Fathers The Provincialate T/F: +44 (0) 48 9061 4631 Order of St. Camillus F: (059) 647 3623 Mercy Sisters Provincialate Clonturk House, Ormond Road Mount Sackville Holy Faith Sisters ‘Rachamin’, 13/14 Moyle Park 4 St. Vincents Street North Drumcondra, Dublin 9 Chapelizod, Dublin 20 Viatores Christi Aylward House Convent Road, Clondalkin Berkeley Road T: (01) 687 7021 T: (01) 821 3104 Travellers for Christ Glasnevin Dublin 22 Dublin 7 F: (01) 822 4002 8 New Cabra Road Salesian Sisters Dublin 11 T: (01) 467 3737 T: (01) 830 0365 Phibsboro 203 Kilmacud Road Sisters of St. Louis T: (01) 837 1426 F: (01) 467 3749 Dublin 7 Stillorgan, Co. Dublin 3 Beech Court F: (01) 837 7474 Pallotines T: (01) 868 9986 T: (01) 298 5188 Ballinclea Road Mill Hill Missionaries Homestead F: (01) 868 9891 Holy Spirit Congregation F: (01) 295 1572 Killiney, Co. Dublin Orwell Park Sandyford Road Provincialate, Temple Park Richmond T: (01) 235 0304 Rathgar, Dublin 6 Dundrum, Dublin 16 Vincentians Avenue South, Dublin 6 Salesians of Don Bosco F: (01) 235 0345 T: (01) 412 7773 T: (01) 295 6180 Provincial Office T: (01) 497 7230 45 St. Teresa’s Road F: (01) 497 7948 F: (01) 294 2085 St. Pauls F: (01) 497 5399 Crumlin, Dublin 12 Sisters of the Infant Jesus Sybil Hill Passionists T: (01) 455 5787 56 Lawrence Road Missionaries of Africa Raheny Hospitaller Order of St. John of God Provinical Office F: (01) 455 8781 Dublin 3 Provincialate Dublin 5 Granada House St. Paul’s Retreat T: (01) 833 8930 Cypress Grove Road T: (01) 851 0840 Stillorgan, Co. Dublin Mount Argus, Dublin 6 Servite Community F: (01) 853 0857 Templogue, Dublin 6W F: (01) 851 0846 25/27 Hermitage Downs T: (01) 277 1497 T: (01) 499 2346 T: (01) 499 2050 Rathfarnham Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus F: (01) 283 1274 F: (01) 406 3963 F: (01) 499 2055 Volunteer Missionary Movement Dublin 16 and Mary The Priory La Sainte Union Sisters Poor Servants of the Mother of God T: (01) 494 4295 Chigwell Convent Missionaries of the Sacred Heart John Street West LSU Provincialate St. Mary’s Convent F: (01) 494 1042 803 Chigwell Road 65 Terenure Road West, Dublin 8 53 Croftdown Road Manor House Woodford Bridge Dublin 6W T: (01) 633 4421 London NW5 1NL Raheny Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles Essex, IG8 8AU T: (01) 490 6622 F: (01) 633 4434 Ardfoyle, Ballintemple T: +44 (0) 208 5060329 T: (020) 74827225 F: (01) 492 0148 Dublin 5 F: (020) 7284 4760 T: (01) 831 7626 Cork F: +44 (0) 208 5592149 Missionary Sisters of the Assumption T: (021) 429 1851 Loreto Sisters Assumption Convent Presentation Brothers F: (021) 429 1105 Society of African Missions Mary Ward International Ireland 24 Belfast Road Generalate Feltrim Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions Loreto Hall, 77 St. Stephen’s Green Ballinahinch Mount St. Joseph Blackrock Road, Cork 108 Spencer Road Dublin 2 Co. Down Blarney Street, Cork T: (021) 429 2871 Wealdstone, Harrow T: (01) 479 3088 BT24 BEA T: (021) 439 2160 F: (021) 429 2873 Middlesex, HA3 7AR F: (01) 479 3087 T: +44 (0) 48 97561765 F: (021) 439 8200 T: +44 (0) 208 8614174

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MY It was founded in 1975 by Irish people returning to We are the voice for returned volunteers and development CY Ireland having served on a voluntary basis in a whole workers ensuring that their social welfare rights are CMY array of roles such as nurses, doctors, carpenters and protected while providing the necessary support service K teachers in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Over the to help people overcome challenges of coming home and years it has developed to include new communities settling back in, and also continuing to stay engaged with living in Ireland and those working here for local issues here in Ireland. and global justice. Comhlámh helps members to stay engaged in raising understanding of issues of global We are a member led organisation with various groups justice and has campaigned on issues to do with coming together to work on key global development Apartheid, Aid, Debt, Refugees and global Trade. issues. Our Trade Justice group which has worked for Clonmacnoispress and The New Evangelisation Trust 2 HALF PAGES Missions Handbook advert.pdf 1 2014/2/23 13:45:38 years on unfair trading rules and is preparing to lobby As an Association, we promote responsible international MEP candidates during the 2014 European elections on volunteering through a Code of Good Practice. It is a set fairer trade relations between Europe and Africa. Another of standards for organisations involved in facilitating very prominent group is our Focus Magazine group who international volunteer placements in countries of the have been busy producing Ireland’s leading magazine on Global South. The focus is to ensure overseas volunteering global issues with 93 issues to date. See the advert in this has a positive impact for the three main stakeholders: the publication and sign-on to receive a copy. volunteer, the sending agency, and the local project and community. We currently have 40 Irish volunteer sending As a membership organisation we are enabled to organisations signed up to it. Between them they sent challenge the root causes of injustice and inequality over 2,000 volunteers in 2012 from Ireland. We work – globally and locally. Some of our most pro-active with these organisations to support them in their work times in Comhlámh were during some of society’s worst. and ensure their practices integrate good practice in Comhlámh was a beehive of activity against apartheid in volunteering. Comhlamh’s Volunteer Charter is a guide the 1980’s and the centre of much refugee solidarity work for people volunteering overseas. It sets out seven in the 1990’s. Today with Climate Change likely to have principles that aim to encourage responsible responsive very serious consequences for all of us on this planet, volunteering. By signing the charter volunteers show their Comhlámh’s work is not yet done. support for the principles set out.

As part of our work we run courses to help people explore their motivations and expectations of becoming a volunteer, we also run courses on global development issues to help people see the interconnectedness of our world and help them get involved in action for change.

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Carmelite Monastery Glenvale LITTLE FLOWER PENNY DINNERS Mission as Interfaith Dialogue The Guild of the Little Flower has been providing meals to the Situated outside Newry in reflections from homeless and the the Carmelite Sisters of Glenvale elderly for over 100 C follow the call of God to live the contemplative life of prayer and years. solitude in the company of Jesus Christ and Mary, His Mother. M Guided by the Spirit we seek to serve the Church by praying for its Please help us to Y leaders and its people. We work at providing altar breads for the CM local churches, gardening and household duties. We also publish Northern Nigeria continue and send books of prayer and booklets on the Carmelite . what you can. MY All donations are CY gratefully accepted Carmelite Publications “THE GROWING and acknowledged. CMY Book of Prayers Prayers from Life K NEED TO REPLACE Cheques and P.O.'s to: CONFLICT WITH Guild of the Little Flower, PEACE” 11 Meath St, Dublin 8. Paper presented at the Conference on Mission Today and Tomorrow, Email: [email protected] All Hallows College, Gracepark Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, 5th – 6th June 2013 Carmelite Monastery Fax: 028 3025 2778 Phone 01-4536621 42 Glenvale Road www.carmelitesglenvale.org Newry, Co. Down, BT34 2RD [email protected] Kathleen McGarvey, OLA

ndoubtedly, many of us here St James’，Carracastle may be very interested in all that is going on in Nigeria U either because we hold this All looks good just a few small adjustments. Diocese I country close to our heart having worked am told is there or because of all we hear on the news singular not diocese's. Also can you add word top and bottom to the line Gowna church top about religiously framed terrorism, ethnic and was built...... and Mullinalaghta below built in ...... I religious riots, insecurity, corruption and what have the word Province spelt wrong in the original and one miss spelling of Mullinalaghta to be corrected. not, all bad news! There is a lot of good news Remembering those that could be told about Nigeria, a country Missionaries whose faith journey began in The Churches are in the with a population of about 160 million Diocese of Ardagh our parish... with Christianity and Islam being the major religions, neither religion predominating at and Clonmacnoise. In thanksgiving for contribution of Irish Gowna church (top) was built in 1903 and national level. Nigeria is divided into 36 Mullinalaghta (below) in 1939. Missionaries in the past. In prayerful states, nineteen of these forming what we The parish has the unusual distinction of having solidarity with the Irish Missionaries call Northern Nigeria, where the majority Gowna church in Co Cavan in the Province of Ulster and Mullinalaghta in Co Longford, of today. tribe is Hausa Fulani of whom at least 98% in the Province of Leinster. are Muslim. In the north there are numerous Contacts other minority indigenous tribes as well as P h : + 353 (0)43 6683120 many members of non-indigenous tribes E-Mail: [email protected] who are Christian. This religious and ethnic Mass Times configuration is an important detail since 8 p m saturday evening it is in fact the focus for the contestations, Mullinalaghta claims and counterclaims that are at the root 11am Sunday morning of much of the conflict there. Lough Gowna St Joseph’s, Rooskey Continued on page 36 The Missions Handbook 35

overview of the causes of conflict in Nigeria and then go on Nigeria, where we work for peace and the promotion of more dependent on the other is a hypothetical question. to highlight some challenges involved in peacebuilding women, we continuously remind citizens that we must live As Paul VI said in Populorum Progressio, “Development is today. Most of what I say is a result of my reflections as in peace if we want social security and development and another name for Peace” (n.27) and equally we might say I work in dialogue, particularly with women, in the very we tell our government that there will be no peace unless underdevelopment or poverty is another name for conflict. complex conflict situation in northern Nigeria. I conclude there is justice and transparent accountable leadership. We In all of this, religion is embroiled, as a factor that is close with some recommendations for us as Irish missionaries seem to be contradicting ourselves: telling the people to to people’s hearts and thus, while it has the potential to be as we look back at our past and move forward within our live in peace and simultaneously telling the government a moral authority, a prophetic voice, a conscientious and new reality as Church. It is my privilege to have with me that people will not live in peace unless there are the organized instrument of positive change, it can be and is so as my co-presenter at this Conference, my colleague in basic indices of development. The result of violence is easily manipulated for evil. dialogue, Amina Kazaure, who is the Muslim Coordinator that lives are lost, homes and businesses are destroyed, of our Women’s Interfaith Council in Kaduna. industries are closed down, money meant for development As a missionary it would make little logical sense for me, in of social infrastructure is poured into security measures, a situation such as Nigeria, to plan or work for development Relationship between Mission, possible investors are turned off, and among the people without considering the damages and setbacks brought unemployment increases, the cycle of poverty continues, about by conflict and violence. It would equally make Development, Conflict & Peace grievances increase and again violence erupts. As they say, little sense for me to think that I can call peace from Let me say that conflict cannot be replaced; it can be violence begets violence and this is so true. Much rhetoric the sky unless I am concerned for the issues of poverty, managed. Conflict is an inevitable part of life and it can surrounds the term ‘development’ in government discourse underdevelopment and injustice that are at the basis of be managed negatively (through violence in one form or with respect to both international and national funds but the conflicts which are too often expressed violently and another) or positively, transformed into something life little visible development results and certainly there is no along religious lines. Conflict and underdevelopment go giving, that is, it can be transformed into peace. Peace real strategy to key in citizen participation in production hand in hand. Hence, to be engaged in development and not is not the absence of conflict or of war. By and large it Like most Africans, Nigerians are deeply religious people. In and improving their own lives by means of infrastructure. challenge the issues of injustice which are at the heart of is ‘that situation of justice and rightly ordered social their daily lives, most Nigerian Muslims and Christians live Instead, corruption is a part of daily life, politics is an the grievances which sometimes are expressed in violence, relations that is marked by respect for the rights of others, together in peace most of the time, many are friends, some economic affair, there is impunity in leadership, elections are is rather irrational. that provides favourable conditions for integral human are intermarried, most work, study and play together on a tampered with, public funds are swindled, public educational growth, and that allows citizens to live out their lives to daily basis, sharing life as human beings in a multi-religious Furthermore, as a missionary I am automatically identified the full in calm and joyful development2. Since conflict in society must do. However, taken together with other forms with a religious community and thus I cannot be impartial to Nigeria, as in so many other parts of the world, takes on a of inter-communal violence among various groups and the conflict: whether I like it or not, I am involved. The issues religious colour, or religion is a strong factor in much of ideologues in Nigeria, tension between Christians and As a missionary I am causing the conflict may not be religious in themselves but the conflict experienced, then religion must be part of the Muslims has cost the country tens of thousands of innocent they so often result in a polarization along religious lines; transformation process. lives1. In recent times, the very real insecurity threat caused automatically identified with hence, as a ‘religious’ person I am involved. I can continue in by the growing presence and terrorist tactics of the so-called my teaching or nursing or running my parish, but one way Paul VI’s Populorum Progressio tells us that mission, which a religious community and Boko haram, which is an umbrella term for a franchise of or the other I must either promote prejudices against other is the responsibility of every baptised person, “is to further political, religious and economically motivated interests, religious groups, be passive and say nothing either for or the progress of poorer nations and international social thus I cannot be impartial to and the concurrent government response of excessive against (however silence is often the greatest violence), or justice, as well as help less developed nations to contribute military force to supposedly counter this insurgency, add an the conflict: whether I like it I can promote openness and forgiveness. Whatever I do, I to their own development” (n.5). Obviously our mission as even more preoccupying dimension to mission in Nigeria am doing something. It is simply not possible to do nothing Church cannot be reduced to development, as though the today. or not, I am involved. – impartiality is not possible. Personally, I see this as an two were synonymous, but our mission, to be a sign and an obligation to do something positive: to be involved as one instrument of Communion, obliges us to be concerned for However, the aim of this presentation is not to explain promoting reconciliation, dialogue and peace. the joys, hopes, griefs and anxieties of all people (Gaudium Nigeria’s problems, but rather to reflect, with Nigeria as a et Spes 1), especially the poor and those in underdeveloped case study, on why and how the Church must give priority in and health facilities barely function, roads are treacherous, Causes of Conflict in Nigeria countries, and to be actively involved in changing this there are little or no employment opportunities, the vast its missionary endeavours to situations of conflict so as to Many Nigerians are very critical of the colonial enterprise situation. Similarly, working for peace is an inherent part of youth population is left idle and hopeless, and violence be an agent of peace, to ‘replace conflict with peace’ as the and see that so much of the suffering endured today is a mission and of this we are very much reminded this year as erupts. And so the cycle continues, and religion is very much title given to me for this presentation states. I discuss briefly legacy inherited from that phase of history. The well known we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of John XXIII’s Pacem a part of it, either because the poor have nowhere else to the relationship between four issues: mission, development, Scramble for Africa resulted in the formation of many in Terris. find hope or because the easiest way to gain political favour, conflict and peace, and without going into any great details colonial states and the eventual post-independent African about it, I believe the logical link between these is and must or to heighten insecurity and make money out of security, is Does peace come from development or development come nations which we have today. be dialogue as a necessary path of mission. I give a brief to play the religious or ethnic card. Development and peace from peace is a question I often ask myself. In Northern are Siamese twins and which of the two comes first and is Continued on page 39

1 Toyin Falola: Violence In Nigeria: The Crisis of Religious Politics and Secular Ideologies (University of Rochester Press. 1998); Nigeria: Violence 2 Fuelled By Impunity (Human Rights Watch Report. London. May 22, 2005). Francis Cardinal Arinze, Religions for Peace: A Call for Solidarity to the Religions of the World, Darton-Longman-Todd, London 2002, 1.

36 The Missions Handbook The Missions Handbook 37 The struggles most African countries are going through Challenges in Working for Peace today of interethnic wars, broken democracies, poverty, are not at all unrelated to that sad history of slavery and Politicization of Religion colonialism. Today’s neo-colonialism by way of loans, trade I think one of the major challenges in working for peace St Rynaghs parish is the last parish in the southern part of the diocese of Ardagh and agreements, and so on, continues to enslave the continent. Clonmanoise, who patron saint is St Rynagh, a sixth centery saint who’s founded her in northern Nigeria, and I believe it holds true for any convent in this area, she is the sister of St Finnian. The parish is located in the west While I believe a lot of the pain in Nigeria, and other African conflict situation where religion is a major factor, is the of Co Offaly close to the famous monastic site of Clonmacnoise. The Parish church was built in the mid 1800's and recently underwent a major restoration project. The countries, is due to internal corruption and greed especially whole politicization of religion in the complexities of the parish of St Rynaghs is rooted in past but looks to the future always seeking to find among the elite and the leadership, itself a legacy inherited new ways to live and proclaim the Christian message for the 21th centery. Like most issues. When Hans Kung worked on finding a global ethics IIrriish parishes the parish is welll served by a vibirant and a new state from the colonial system of country formation and the of the art secondary school. Sports, drama, music and the river shannon which flows between the religions he recognized that religions have through the town play a major role in shapeing the life and character of the parish. The system of rule used while there, much is to be blamed on tremendous socio-political implications. Religion has a parish is blessed to have the La Sante Union sisters with us who have marked 150 years of service in 2014. Banagher parish is clustered with the surronding parishes a international intervention. One might say this is the real negative as well as a positive potential in society. In itself system that works very well, the cluster plan various projects, pilgrimages, and activities root cause and that today’s conflicts are the outcome of that which all help foster a new sense of what it means to be Church in west offaly in it is a social, historical and hence also political construct. I moderrn Ireland. We are blessed in our parisn to have so many people of various aged troubled past and today’s neo-colonialism. In terms of more am not a political analyst but my experience in Nigeria has involved in the life of the parish all in their own way striveing to make our parish a place of real Christian faith, hope and welcome. There is a stong missionary dimension immediate causes of the conflict and the serious security taught me that while the majority of the population will to our parish with members of our challenges in the Northern States of Nigeria today are a parish serveing in Hattai, Tanzania maintain that the problems are due to religion, and in truth and Kenya, these sisters and brothers variety of factors that tend to differ in emphasis, from one the conflict in many parts does become a matter of Muslims are supported both with the prayers and the monetary aid which helps state to another. versus Christians, the political manipulations of religion for our church feel a real sense of missionary outreach. economic and political gains is so much more intricate. These generally include economic issues and narrowing opportunities, resource-related conflicts (involving for I recently watched the film Blood and Oil, about the conflict instance land, territory, and water bodies), unequal access in the Niger Delta, another troubled part of Nigeria, and I to political power and position among ethnic groups, the was struck by the lies and manipulations that the film was feeling of marginalization, issues around appointments able to show that lie at the root of the problems in Niger into traditional leadership positions, all of which affect Delta; instead of being a simple matter of the international relationships between individuals and groups resulting oil companies v. the local population, it is an intricate web in ever growing deep-seated suspicion and the inability of Mr A Politician in Nigeria and Mr B Oil dealer in Russia to develop cooperative relationships. Due to overlap of and Mr C Judge in England, with a lot of local oil bunkering ethnic identities with religion it often, unfortunately, finds and lies and innocent foreign workers and poor indigene expression in religion. There is growing polarization along citizens in between. A simple but seriously inadequate religious fault lines in the northern states today. Many reflection that the Boko Haram issue in Northern Nigeria, issues, including even the choice of leaders, tend to be seen on the surface as an attempt to Islamize Nigeria and viewed from the prism of a perceived religious divide. remove all Christians from the North, and possibly initially Religion often becomes the instrument of offence and founded on such an ideology, is in reality so much more defence; and a tool in the hands of people who utilise complex. It involves so many factors including a web of lies, it to manipulate the consciousness of the people in the manipulations, economic deals, and personal interests, all northern states. Furthermore, the weak adherence to the not unrelated to oil in the Chad basin, the 2015 presidential rule of law promotes impunity as well as a strong feeling elections, the money made by security agencies and their of perceived injustice and helplessness from among the partners, and so on. populace. The large pool of unskilled, unemployed and indeed unemployable youths, all of whom are ready tools Surely, religion is a major factor in conflict situations for violence, drug abuse, criminality and insurgency is a across North Africa, the Middle East and Afghanistan, but major area of concern. the rise of extremist groups in these places may indeed have much more to do with economic manipulations than Radicalization of the religious space has also been a serious with the views of any extremist clerics per se. Hence, a factor and while it is not the only reason for Boko haram, major challenge is, partly to become somewhat more street certainly the provocative and inciting preaching by some wise and politically astute, but also to remain above the religious clerics has been instrumental in the rise of today’s superficial prejudices and stereotypes, stay firm in the belief insurgency in the north. in the transforming power of religion, and help others to do the same.

Continued on page 40

The Missions Handbook 39 Role of Religions in the Interplay of God and Guns other parts of Northern Nigeria, a typical characteristic is patron’ that the religious freedom of all citizens are The Scramble for Africa and the colonial enterprise were that issues tend to be viewed from the prism of a perceived respected. not done in God’s name but certainly God’s name and the religious divide and religion easily becomes the instrument superiority of Christianity were recruited into its service. of offence and defence. When trouble erupts, as for example As Church, besides promoting dialogue Hence, I believe we have a moral responsibility to ensure in the post-election violence of April 2011, it becomes a and freedom of religion, I believe we have a that today we as Church, as missionaries, do not contribute full blown Muslim v Christian war. Many Christians, even responsibility to help Catholics overcome the in any way to more abuse or domination. This should not leaders, insist that any harm done by Christians to Muslims dichotomy that seems to exist between religion result in our being afraid to speak in God’s name. Nor should is as a result of self-defence, retaliation attacks for offences as cult and everyday life. Maybe that is the it result in missionaries abandoning the wider notion of suffered and thus is considered somehow less deserving form of Catholicism we had in Ireland and thus evangelisation in favour of development. Rather, I believe of criticism. Self-defence is given a very wide definition: if brought on mission: a sacramental, institutional, it obliges us to promote dialogue and to do mission in a Christians are killed in one part of the city, to kill Muslims self-focused, religion of piety, catechism being way that is consistent with respect for the people within in another part is ‘self-defence’ since it is only in this way the question and answer type. We must somehow their culture and their religions. Inter-faith and intercultural that ‘they will stop killing us’. The point I want to draw our form Catholics who allow the values and teachings dialogue is not an option but a necessary part of any attention to is the readiness of Christians to turn to violence, of their faith to influence their public lives and their missionary endeavour. This also obliges us to be actively even if in the name of so-called self-defence. To work choices in their places of work and their homes. In engaged, through lobbying or whatever, in calling for for Peace in such a situation demands educating people Nigeria, certainly not all good Catholics donate money and not all who donate are crooks, but there is a sense that many ‘Good Catholics’ are those who donate large sums of A major challenge I find in working in the field of dialogue and peacebuilding is that money for church institutional structures, with a blind eye peacebuilding has in fact become an industry. turned to their engagements in the field of politics and of business or even in terms of adherence to customary practices which may in fact be inimical to the Gospel transport or anything else. This approach is still rather justice in international relations with the underdeveloped and helping them to find non-violent ways of defending message. There is need to encourage greater moral clarity unique but it is a method I believe we must continue to countries. Related to this is the responsibility we have to themselves and of ‘retaliating’. and interrogation of traditional practices among Catholics. use as it is only through sacrifice that peace will eventually be careful of the way we speak of ‘Africa’ and mission when reign. we seek financial aid. Only last year I heard my friend tell Define the role of religion in a democratic state Peacebuilding has become an industry her eight year old son to eat his lunch and remember the (what is it to be secular?) and a flag hungry children in Africa! Justice in international relations I believe another challenge in the area of peacebuilding is A major challenge I find in working in the field of Women’s involvement in patriarchal culture and demands respect much more than it demands compassion. to find ways of developing an understanding of the role of dialogue and peacebuilding is that peacebuilding has in religions While we missionaries, carrying the weight of our past religion in a democratic state. Nigeria is a democracy but fact become an industry. Nigeria is inundated with NGOs, We work with women faith leaders in Kaduna state. This sins and the sins of our Western nations, may be conscious yet government funds are poured in to finance Muslims on established to bring peace and to promote harmonious was something I myself initiated in May 2010 and it has of not showing any sense of superiority of religion or pilgrimage to hajj in Mecca, Christians on pilgrimage to the coexistence. I imagine it is the same in many other grown from strength to strength. The truth is that just as otherwise, the local churches have not necessarily imbibed Holy Land and other Christian sites, state chaplaincies, and troubled underdeveloped countries. Many NGOs do great women’s poverty and vulnerability in the region is greater that attitude. Hence, I think it is still very necessary to have so on. The role of government in religious affairs and of work, undoubtedly. However, among the best wage paying than that of men, due in great part to a patriarchal culture, western missionaries on the field, in so far as it is possible religious figures in political affairs is increasing by the day. institutions with which people dream of finding work are so too women’s voices and their concerns are often times for us to be there, missionaries who are firm in their faith In Nigeria, with the sharî’a debate in 2000 and with so many international development partners and aid agencies, and if excluded from Government programmes of response and of and missionary commitment but who also have a critical of the other conflicts that erupt there, it is obvious that the not with these then with their partner NGOs and CSOs. People mediation in times of conflict and in efforts at reconciliation understanding of our past and a humble commitment not to role and place of religion in society has not been sufficiently love to attend conferences and seminars and workshops on and peacebuilding. Similarly, women are excluded from repeat it, so as to help the local church learn from the sins clarified. To follow in the footsteps of France or even Ireland, peacebuilding as it allows them the opportunity to sleep in the mainline decision making levels in religious bodies, of the past rather than to repeat them. in its attempt to purge all traces of religion from the public a good hotel and eat sumptuous food and even get transport both Christian and Muslim, as well as prominent interfaith space, does not seem the best response in a pluri-religious allowance and maybe per diem or seating allowance for councils and state-sponsored religious bureaus. When Building a Peaceful Identity as Christians country such as Nigeria. Similarly, to allow religion have the having given of their time to come to receive the training. A interfaith events are organized, especially when it is by government or by influential circles, it is the male religious The weight of our past and the association of the Western major role it has in political affairs and in the lives of so favourite engagement of First Ladies and other politicians and community leaders who are invited. world with Christianity, even today, is such that Muslims find many citizens who cling to it as a life saver since all else is to call for peace or to host peacekeeping events, often it hard to believe that Christianity is a peaceful religion, a has failed, is not the response either - and is not practical in being little more than a political flag. Thus, peacebuilding For example, in 2012, after the outbreak of violence in religion of morality and of right and just relations. Of course, a pluri-religious nation. Given that religion is so much a part is an industry and it is difficult to break this jinx. Some June, a State Committee on Reconciliation was established if we consider it a matter for competition rather than for self- of everyday life in Africa and Africans are by nature religious organizations, including our own Women’s Interfaith Council in Kaduna, consisting of sixty men (as in, male). People examination, we can say the same about Islam. But, I think people, it is said, I believe much more discussion must be try to awaken a volunteer spirit. For example, our women objected so ten more were added, three of whom were it demands self-examination and hence as a missionary held so as to find the practical and acceptable way in which leaders are not paid for the many hours work they put into women; the others included youth representatives and Church, we have a responsibility to give evermore authentic all religious adherents are given an equal playing field in organizing and participating in our events, we rent cheap all parts of the country and the state ensures as ‘referee not venues and give simple food, with no allowances given for some other groups that had felt left out. witness if we are to redeem our name. In Kaduna as in some Continued on page 43

40 The Missions Handbook The Missions Handbook 41 In August 2012, a Committee was established by the across religious lines, to develop friendships and to see that Northern Governors Forum for Reconciliation, Security harmonious coexistence is possible. We also need to work and Healing. It was initially all male with one women; on empowerment so as to overcome the poverty and the she objected so she was asked to get five other women injustices. One is easier to measure than the other. Both are to join her; I happened to be one of them and I admit the necessary. experience of working on that Committee was challenging but very enriching. And although the women were few, we Specific challenges from a missionary perspective: ended up contributing far more than our fair share! Last Overcome the bad reputation of religion month, in April 2013, the World Muslim League held its Religion has a bad reputation in relation to war and peace. annual meeting in Sokoto, Nigeria – I looked at the list of Yet, as Hans Kung said, and I must totally agree with those present, including the Christians who were invited to him, there will be no peace between the nations without speak: all men! This is the norm. If women are invited, it dialogue between the religions. This is for many reasons, is usually as an afterthought and as a symbolic gesture of the most obvious and pragmatic being so much of the ‘gender awareness’! Thanks to international pressure, it is strife experienced in the world today, not only in Nigeria, very important nowadays to be seen to show some sense is very much coloured by religion. However, religion has of gender awareness! However, most often, if a woman is been a positive source of hope, strength and inspiration for invited to speak, it will be on “women’s issues”. Hence, in people to challenge and non-violently confront situations work with women and for women in peacebuilding, serious and structures of injustice; religion is a teacher of positive obstacles due to patriarchy are encountered. However, this human values; and religion is for so many people and in makes the work even more urgent and satisfying: bringing many societies a moral authority of peaceful, just and right women together in a way which would be difficult to human relations. As missionaries, we are seen as people do with men, gives a strong witness and helps to make who propagate a faith, a religion. Hence, I believe we have women’s voices heard. Gradually I find we are becoming a responsibility to believe in our religion and to ensure more and more known and we receive more and more religion is taught and practiced as a positive and not a invitations, maybe only to ensure the inclusion of women negative force. but we use that and thus make women’s voice heard, at major events. Undoubtedly, religion has an equally bad, if not worse, reputation in relation to patriarchy and to gender equality Difficulty of measuring results and this reputation applies across the board to all religions. We can put a lot of time, effort, and money into peacebuilding In what I think is a typical example of Orientalism, in the initiatives: meetings, seminars, workshops, conferences, West Islam tends to be shown as the faith which is most advocacy visits, communiqués, roundtables, Peace Clubs, demeaning of women, but I think the fact that women interfaith prayers, solidarity marches, media chats, and so of all faiths are developing strong versions of feminist on. We work through the women faith leaders, and hence religious discourse speaks the truth more fully. Although when they bring our message back to their faith groups the struggle for gender equality is generally thought of throughout the state, thousands of people may be reached in terms of developments in secular discourse, a matter through us. However, it only takes one person to throw a of legal provisions and so on and so forth, I am convinced bomb and shout Allahu Akbar, or to burn a market, or to start that there will be no gender equality in so many parts of a fight against another and turn it into a religious fight. It the world without the intervention of religions, simply is not difficult to ignite violence, and for this violence to because religion is such an influential factor in women’s take a religious identity, and for this to spread. Hence, it is recognized roles and rights in most developing societies. difficult to measure the outcome of our work and I believe Hence, our involvement in women’s or gender-focused this applies to peacebuilding work in general. Certainly, it theological discourse and our support of that within the is necessary to cure the ills of poverty and illiteracy and various religions is, I believe, a necessary engagement in injustice that make it so easy for people to resort to violence our mission for peace. This is a delicate area; many of the and for this to ignite interethnic or interreligious tensions. women I work with are not at all critical of their religions People maintain this kind of development work is more as taught or practiced. However, when we look more closely effective than peacebuilding seminars. at concrete experiences of women, then we begin also to challenge interpretations and the women add their voice to However, we need both: we need to help people analyse the learning or supporting more gender friendly interpretations. reasons for the conflict and to grow in mutual understanding Continued on page 45

The Missions Handbook 43 Kimmage DSC.pdf 1 2/7/14 1:45 PM

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Working together with people of other faiths on Being a foreigner: advantage or disadvantage Justice and Development Working for Peace as a foreigner has both its pros and cons. HIV TREATMENT IN NAMIBIA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN SAUDI ARABIA GAZA FREEDOM RUNNER Kate Mukungu discusses the The relationship between Nader al-Masri is an Olympic options open to Namibia to criminal law and Sharia standard runner who has had to Working for peace and working for development is not the On the pro side I would say that my being white, not a ensure the country’s impres- EST. law is a complex one when it turn down o ers to compete in sive progress continues. comes to domestic violence. races worldwide. Find out why. responsibility of the Church alone but is one we can only Nigerian, contributes in no small way to the success of the > HEALTH PAGE  > GENDER PAGE  > SPORTS PAGE  FOCUS 1978 ACTION FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE carry out in respect and dialogue with people of other Interfaith Council which I initiated and coordinate. Many Focus Magazine is Ireland’s religions. Our definition of justice and of development women admit that it is because of me that they persevere FOCUS cannot be understood only within a Christian or a Western in coming to our meetings and cooperating in the work. (I ACTION FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE. leading magazine on global develop- February 2014 | Published By Comhlámh | ISSUE 93 www.comhlamh.org ment issues. Since 1978, Focus has been framework. Other peoples have their cultural understandings pray that by the time I leave, they will have imbibed the A day of action against Direct Provision Photo credit: Irish Refugee Council making links between the situation in of development and these are shaped and influenced by vision deeply enough not to need me as an excuse.) When Ireland and in the South, with a view to their religious beliefs and by their faith communities. Hence, there have been serious crises, women have come to me, or challenging assumptions, and promoting to work in mission towards making present those values I have gone to them, and they have spoken honestly from understanding, interest in and action their heart about their fears and distrust of the other ‘group’. on development issues among a broad of God’s kingdom, which we may speak of as indicative of

COLM ASHE. development, necessarily implies respectful dialogue with Together we have been able to talk it through and muster Comhlámh Staff public. In particular, it aims to provide he collapse of the people of other religions and cultures. As we are told in the up the courage and the forgiveness to continue working Rana Plaza building in alternative views to those expressed in TBangladesh last April, brought the working conditions of textile workers in Asia to the fore- mainstream media. document Dialogue and Mission: “any sense of mission not together with Muslims/Christians, as the case may be. If I front of public attention. There was public outcry as the plight of these workers, and the permeated by [such] a dialogical spirit would go against the was a Nigerian, I would be more easily associated with the Lives Put On Hold. global fashion brands involved in perpetuating it, became public Email [email protected] for free copies. Ireland’s Direct Provision System Is Leaving People In For Years. knowledge. This moved the issue demands of true humanity and against the teachings of the other group. The fact that I am a Reverend Sister, as they call up the international agenda and RORY HALPIN life away. I want to work. I want to It is fair to say that Direct man put it, ‘Sometimes I think sent ripples across the industry. SPIRASI. contribute”. Provision was set up with the we would be better o in prison. In Cambodia tens of thousands of Gospel” (DM 29). In this context I would advise missionaries us Religious in Nigeria, is also an important factor, since in  e Reception and Integration intention of being a temporary At least in prison you know when workers took to the streets in protest, etween 1993 and Agency (RIA) is the government accommodation solution, the you’re going to be released’. demanding that a living wage be 2000, the number of agency that was set up to manage thinking being that asylum  e solution to paid to them. In the photo above to ensure that all their development projects are done in general the Catholic Church is viewed with greater respect Bpeople seeking asy- and run the system of Direct seekers would be in this is twofold. a striking garment worker shows lum in Ireland went from 6 a Provision. At the end of June the system no Firstly, to spent cartridges from police and SUBSCRIBE TODAY! year to just fewer than 11,000 2013 there were a total of 34 longer than a “Sometimes I think we improve the military shootings against recent a year. accommodation centres spread year. However, would be be er off in legal system demonstrations. The strike action dialogue with the people who are to be its beneficiaries and than many other Christian denominations, many people In the late 90s, as a means of throughout 16 counties.  ese because of prison. At least in prison so that has threatened to bring the country’s dealing with the unprecedented housed approximately 4,600 limited resources you know when you’re processing main export industry to its knees. numbers of asylum seekers, asylum seekers, 1,500 of which and a widely going to be released” applications This coupled with the increased this must be done with respect for their cultural as well as have gone through schools or hospitals run by Sisters and the Irish State set up the Direct were children. Of these 34 only acknowledged is pressure on Western brands has Provision system.  rough this three were ‘purpose built’ with the inadequate legal accelerated. put the workers in an improved system, asylum seekers receive rest comprising of former hotels, framework, In this regard position to negotiate their conditions. their religious views. have learnt to respect us, and as a Religious I am seen as a full board accommodation and hostels, convents and holiday delays in processing it is to be hoped that Recently some Western brands personal allowances of €19.10 per camps.  e result is that residents asylum applications are both the proposed ‘Single Protection have condemned the government adult and €9.60 per child per week. are o en living in over-crowded commonplace and prolonged, to Procedure’ bill which has been crackdown on the strikes, which left a While they wait for a decision situations with little or no privacy the extent that people o en have to in process since 2006 is enacted number of people dead, and expressed religious leader. with regard to their applications and inadequate facilities, especially wait several years for a de nitive as a matter of urgency. Secondly, support to minimum-wage reforms. WWW.COMHLAMH.ORGasylum seekers are forbidden to for children. One woman, who decision.  e human su ering enough resources should be These are very small steps in a Continued on page 47 work and have only limited access has been in Direct Provision for caused by these delays is not to given to the 4,600 asylum seekers movement that must essentially bring to education. One asylum seeker 3 years, comments, “I have seen be underestimated. Deterioration currently in Direct Provision so exponential change to a global manu- says, “I am a quali ed medical children acting out in a sexual way. in both mental and physical that their legal process can be facturing chain but it’s a step in the doctor. At least I was when I le  ey obviously see the things their health of asylum seekers is well expedited as soon as possible to right direction. my country 4 years ago. I would parents are doing because there is documented, with elevated levels allow people resume lives, whether facebook.com/comhlamhnow have to retrain if I was to work too much overcrowding – this is of depression and anxiety the most here or back in their countries of as a doctor. I feel I am wasting my just not right”. common ill e ects. As one young origin, that have been put on hold. twitter.com/comhlamh > CLEAN CLOTHES PAGE The Missions Handbook 45 of forgiveness and openness to one another. In fact, when I speak some truth that people may not want to hear, the usual response is that I don’t understand, “Sister, you don’t understand the psychology of these people”; Sister, you were not here during the sharî’a crisis in 2000 or the Kafanchan If we want to educate and crisis in 1989 or the Maitatsine riots in the 80s. Hence – my empower women I believe commitment to dialogue is seen to be a fruit of my naivety, my innocence, my not having experienced the violence. I there is more chance that can do nothing about this, except remain confident and convinced! That said, I would like to add that I have found this will be done through great acceptance in Nigeria, even in the very high profile Committee on Reconciliation, Healing and Security of the FOMWAN (Federation Northern Governor’s Forum: my opinion is listened to and of Muslim Women’s taken seriously and in general I am treated as a co-national, something which makes me very proud. Associations of Nigeria) or the CWO (Catholic Women’s Contribution of Irish Missionaries Organization) or other faith (yesterday, today, tomorrow) based organizations in A critical look at our methodology of mission Firstly, I think this Conference is an opportunity for us to which women participate look back critically at the methods of the past, recognise whether and how we may have failed in promoting an regularly and which are attitude of interethnic and interreligious openness and trusted by their religious and dialogue, whether and how we might have helped establish a Church that is arrogant in its own sense of theological community leaders, than and institutional superiority, whether and how we may have formed Catholics who are not committed to social through other conduits. responsibility, whether and how we may have brought a Catholicism that did not sufficiently dialogue with the local culture and customs many of which were strengthened rather than challenged in their patriarchal and other elements. We might find that the missionary enterprise may actually have been stronger in some of these areas than In fact, for our large interfaith events, apart from our small the local church is today. In so far as this the case, we can, meetings as Executive council and so on, I always wear with the benefit of hindsight, ensure that in our various the veil, something that is totally against every feminist ways of outreach to the local church, whether by the Irish principle in my body, but it is a concession I make because missionaries who still go and will go, or whether through I realise the importance of uniform and of position in the training we give to those from the young Churches Nigeria and the fact that the veil gives me that standing who come here for formation or are members of our of a religious leader which enables people to respect the congregations, our analysis of these questions is included. Women’s Interfaith Council which I am seen to represent. Be prepared to fund faith communities The other side of the coin is that as a foreigner, it is all too Secondly, I should like to request continued support for often said that I am not really part of the situation: “if there faith bodies and for the work of the indigenous members of is trouble, Sr. Kathleen can just go home, we must stay here missionary congregations who are inheriting from their Irish to pick up the pieces”. Hence, that distance from the issue predecessors the development of projects that people in in a sense makes me always different, always an outsider, their local areas, from their faith and cultural perspectives, hence somewhat less credible as a witness of the possibility envision together. Continued on page 49

The Missions Handbook 47 For example, if we want to educate and empower women I personnel from the young Churches, it is important to form believe there is more chance that this will be done through them in a way that teaches them to search for answers in FOMWAN (Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations of dialogue with the cultures and religions which shape their Nigeria) or the CWO (Catholic Women’s Organization) or society and our world at large and to thus be able to bring other faith based organizations in which women participate reconciliation and peace to their lands. regularly and which are trusted by their religious and community leaders, than through other conduits. Conclusion International lobbying Undoubtedly, as Irish missionaries we still have great The Lineamenta for the African Synod, n. 35 stated as authority through our lobbying efforts in the UN or other follows: “No nation can prosper in an atmosphere of international political and legislative arena. I have never insecurity. No meaningful development is sustainable been involved in this but I know of the Africa Faith and Justice Network and many others that I believe are to be very in a society replete with mutual rancor, bitterness much commended and supported in their important work. and hate. Mutual prejudices hinder cooperation and No doubt, the fruits are so hard to measure but many drops exchange, and rob a people of a hope of a great make an ocean and thus the more international pressure nation.” The post-synodal exhortation, Africae Munus, that is put, for accountable leadership, for transparent tells us that the difficulties encountered by the elections, for gender equality, for non-violent options... the countries and particular churches in Africa are not more chance there is that things will change. so much insurmountable obstacles, but challenges pushing us to draw upon the best of ourselves: our Formation of personnel from the young Churches imagination, our intelligence, our vocation to follow The fragmentation among Christians in Nigeria and in without compromise in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. many other African countries is sometimes blamed on Hence, this challenge remains. the negative relationship that we Catholics from Ireland had with our Protestant counterparts. The negative view of Muslims has no doubt been influenced by the negative The conversation must continue: How can we as view we as Church once held of Islam. I think it is important missionaries continue to help overcome the many that in the Kimmage Institute, Mater Dei, Maynooth, the obstacles encountered in the young churches we Irish School of Ecumenics, and so on, which are all well have done so much to help establish? How can recognized Centres of formation for personnel from the we do this in a way that promotes a form of young Churches, we give an ecumenical and dialogical evangelization that is not exclusive, not divisive, missionary formation. I also believe some basic training in but that is inclusive of all people of whatever political analysis is necessary as we study religions and the religion, and helps to build a nation where the challenge of co-existence. It is important that the formation values of the Kingdom are palpable by all people? we give encourage a critical study of missionary methods in “If all of us who believe in God desire to promote Africa today. Africae Munus somehow alludes to this when it says: “Given the great ferment of peoples, cultures and reconciliation, justice and peace, we must work religions which marks our age, Catholic universities and together to banish every form of discrimination, academic institutions play an essential role in the patient, intolerance and religious fundamentalism” (AM 94). rigorous and humble search for the light which comes I pray we can continue to do so and I hope some of from Truth. Only a truth capable of transcending human the points I have raised in this paper will help us standards of measure, conditioned by their own limitations, to do this. brings peace to individuals and reconciliation to societies” (135). Peace in Africa, the Pope tells us in Africae Munus, Many thanks for your witness as missionaries ad is conditioned by interreligious relations. Hence “it is extra ad vitam, your support for my own mission, the important for the Church to promote dialogue as a spiritual invitation to speak here today, and for your attention. disposition, so that believers may learn to work together, for example in associations for justice and peace, in a spirit of trust and mutual help” (AM 88). Hence, in forming

The Missions Handbook 49 The Parish of Kimmage Development Centre Ardagh and Moydow The seeds of christianity in Ardagh, Co. Longford, were planted by St. Patrick when he appointed Mel as bishop in 435. For the next Celebrating 40 years in 2014 1000 years Ardagh continued to be the cathedral town of the diocese with the bishop residing there. The ruins of the cathedral are still to be seen in the village. Kimmage Development The present Gothic style church St. Brigid’s, Ardagh within view of St. Mel’s original Studies Centre is based foundation is regarded as one of at Kimmage Manor, in the most ornate of its type. The seeds sown at Ardagh continue to bear fruit to the present day. Dublin, Ireland. Parish liturgies and celebrations, which are available on 99.7FM band radio, are enhanced by participation from a wide spectrum of the parish community. St. Mary’s, Moydow

With so many people involved and sharing gifts and talents, in creating a community of faith, there is a tangible energy and vibrancy in the parish. www.parishardaghmoydow.com Email: [email protected]

Michael Hegarty Ardagh Moydow QUARTER.indd 2 27/02/2014 20:11:46

It was established in 1974 by the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (also known as the Spiritans or the Holy Ghost Fathers) initially to provide education and training to intending overseas missionaries, and from 1978 onwards to cater for the training needs of the growing development NGOs and volunteer sending agencies. “Little, be very little, hidden by humility in all God wants from you, as being only the instruments of his work.”

rom the beginning, the programme of studies welcomed as Project Cycle Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, OUR WORK Fparticipants of all backgrounds, cultures, nationalities, Governance and Accountability, etc. To date it has six religious persuasions, and to date has accommodated different courses on offer, including Child Protection in As Little Sisters of the Poor our mission is to care for the “What happiness to be students from over 65 different countries, drawn mainly Development Practice and Understanding and Addressing a Little Sister of the Poor” elderly in the spirit of humble service as bequeathed to from Africa and Ireland but increasingly, also from Asia, the GBV, and a team of tutors providing support in countries as us by our foundress, Jeanne Jugan. Her message to (Jeanne Jugan) the novices of her time was: Caribbean and Latin America. diverse as Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda and Zambia.

“Making the elderly happy, that is all that counts”, Our desire as Little Sisters of the Poor is to follow Kimmage Open & Distance Education (KODE) was set Another programme which reflected the determination and her message is still timely, if not more so, today. Christ as our one and only necessity so as to up following the successful piloting of distance learning of KDSC to reach out to wider groups of development make him the centre of our life. We are dedicated courses, primarily in East Africa, in 2007-2008. It is a workers and to diversify its range of activities was the Our vow of hospitality involves us in the ‘temporal realities to the care of the elderly of all nationalities and blended learning package for learners to work through establishment of the Kimmage East Africa programme in of the time and country in which we live.’ beliefs and we are sustained by both a daily personal (Constitutions of the LSP) and community life of prayer. materials at their own pace and in their own time, and 2007. gain understanding and key skills in subject areas such Continued on pg. 53

www.littlesistersofthepoor.ie The Missions Handbook 51 Kimmage Development Centre

The Kimmage East Africa programme was based in In September 2012, Kimmage DSC was awarded a contract Tanzania, and saw KDSC working in partnership with the to provide specialist information and guides services International Institute for Environment and Development in the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, An International Community (IIED) and other local NGOs, to design innovative tools and O’Connell Street, Dublin 1. Our team of guides, led by our Working inPartnership with approaches for use by pastoral civil society and government coordinator, provide information to members of the public Committed Staff and in tackling the differences in power that impede policies on volunteering, development education options and other Volunteers Serving in and institutions from achieving equitable natural resource related queries, deliver workshops to visiting school groups, 91 countries worldwide management, central to people’s livelihoods and poverty and assist in the mounting of exhibitions in the Centre. We reduction. see this as another opportunity to build connections with the development sector and the wider public.

Boniface

St Catherine's Provincial House, Dunardagh, Blackrock, Co Dublin Isenge Tel: 01-2882896 www.daughtersofcharity.ie Boniface Isenge is currently studying for an MA in Development Studies at Kimmage DSC.

Born in Kenya in 1974, Boniface entered the seminary of the Spiritans Holy Ghost Fathers in Tanzania in 1996. He studied Philosophy for three years and then went to Lushoto for one year of Novitiate. In August 2000, Boniface undertook Theological studies and in 2002, travelled to Ethiopia for his one year Attachment. In 2003, he “The course material is very practical and returned to Lushoto to complete his studies gives me the courage to believe I can and was Ordained in 2005. He returned to understand the needs of a community Ethiopia where he worked as a Missionary and apply my skills in accordance with until 2013. When he completes his studies their needs, from farming and sanitation in July 2014, he will take up a Missionary techniques to education and tolerance”. post in Southern Sudan. “The lecturers deliver the course with great passion, listening, and understanding Despite having nearly 9 years of missionary the needs of each student”. Boniface is work experience, Boniface feels that a thoroughly enjoying his time at Kimmage formal education is necessary to meet the DSC and has found it to be an extremely needs of the modern world. friendly and open environment .

The Missions Handbook 53 Irish Educational Organisations

All Hallows College Carlow College Dundalk Institute of Techology Coláiste na Naomh Uile College Street Dublin Road Gracepark Rd Co. Carlow Dundalk Drumcondra T: (059) 915 3200 Co. Louth Dublin 9 F: (059) 914 0258 T: (042) 937 0200 T: (01) 852 0700 E: [email protected] F: (042) 9370201 E: [email protected] W: www.carlowcollege.ie E: [email protected] W: www.allhallows.ie W: www.dkit.ie Centre for Global Development Church of Ireland Theological University College Cork Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design St. Angela’s College College Western Road & Technology 19 Hillsborough Road Lough Gill Braemor Park Cork Kill Avenue, Dun Laoghaire Moira Sligo Dublin 14 T: (021) 490 3000 Co. Dublin Co. Down T: (071) 914 3580 T: (01) 492 3506 www.ucc.ie T: (01) 239 4000 BT67 0HG F: (071) 914 4585 F: (01) 492 3082 F: (01) 239 4700 Northern Ireland E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Divine Word School of English E: [email protected] T: +44 (048) 926 19267 W: www.theologicalinstitute.ie Moyglare Road W: www.iadt.ie St Mary’s University College Maynooth Kimmage Development Studies 191 Falls Road Co. Kildare Edgehill Theological College Centre Belfast, BT12 6FE Ireland 9 Lennoxvale, Kimmage Manor N. Ireland, BT12 6FE T: (01) 628 9512 Belfast, Whitehall Road T: +44 (028) 9032 7678 F: (01) 628 9748 Co. Antrim, Dublin 12 F: +44 (028) 9033 3719 E: [email protected] BT9 5BY T: (01) 406 4386 W: www.stmarys-belfast.ac.uk The Union Theological College W: www.dwse.org T: (028) 906 65870 F: (01) 406 4388 108 Botanic Avenue F: (028) 906 87204 E: [email protected] St. Patrick’s College, Belfast Dublin City University E: [email protected] W: www.kimmagedsc.ie Drumcondra BT7 1JT Glasnevin W: www.edgehillcollege.org Dublin 9 Tel: +44 (028) 90205080 Fax: +44 (028) 90205099 Dublin 9 Mater Dei Institute of Education T: (01) 884 2000 Email: [email protected] T: (01) 700 5338 GMIT Galway Campus Clonliffe Road F: (01) 837 6197 www.union.ac.uk F: (01) 700 5504 Dublin Road Dublin 3 E: [email protected] W: www.dcu.ie Galway T: (01) 808 6500 W: www.spd.dcu.ie T: (091) 753161 F: (01) 837 0776 80:20 Educating and Acting F: (091) 751107 E: [email protected] St. Patricks College for a Better World St. Cronans BNS E: [email protected] W: www.materdei.ie Maynooth Vevay Road W: www.gmit.ie Co. Kildare Bray Milltown Institute T: (01) 708 3600 Co. Wicklow Milltown Park E: [email protected] T: (01) 286 0487 Sandford Road W: www.maynoothcollege.ie E: [email protected] Ranelagh W: www.8020.ie Dublin 6 Stranmills University College

T: (01) 277 6300 Stranmills Road Trinity College Dublin E: [email protected] Belfast, BT9 5DY College Green W: www.milltown-institute.ie Co. Antrim Dublin 2 T: (028) 903 81271 T: (01) 896 1297 F: (028) 903 8444 F: (01) 677 4844 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: www.stran.ac.uk W: www.tcd.ie/ise

54 The Missions Handbook The Missions Handbook 55 Jeanne Jugan our foundress was born on 25th October 1792 in Cancale, a fishing port on the north coast of Brittany, France.

hen Jeanne was only three and a half years of age Wher father who was a sailor was lost at sea and so her mother had to work very hard to make ends meet for her young family of four. From this it is easy to see that Jeanne ‘knew’ poverty right from childhood.

It was from her mother that Jeanne learned her prayers and the tenets of her Faith. She also learned how to rely totally on God.

Jeanne left home at the age of fifteen or sixteen to work ‘in-service’ at the manor house of a neighbouring family. Her employers were kind and were always ready to give something to those who came knocking at their door – a gesture which gave Jeanne an insight into the needs of those less fortunate members of society.

PONTIFICAL UNIVERSITY It was during these years that Jeanne received a marriage proposal from a young sailor and according to local St Patrick’s College, Maynooth custom, she asked him to wait. He did – for six years Undergraduate Degree Programmes – after which time he renewed his proposal. She then • BA in Theology & Arts (BATh) CAO code: MU001 decided she would not marry and astonished her mother • BA in Theology (BTh) CAO code: MU002 The above programmes qualify under the Free Fees initiative and the Higher Education Grants Scheme. by telling her: “God wants me for himself. He is Mature students are very welcome to apply. keeping me for a work which is not yet founded.” she could. It was during one of her visits to Anne Chauvin, Postgraduate Programmes a blind and paralysed elderly woman that she realized • Doctoral Degree in Divinity (DD) • Taught Master’s in she could into leave her alone to fend for herself. And so • Doctoral Degree in Theology (PhD) (one year full-time/two years part-time) LAUNCHING OUT INTO THE DEEP • Licentiate in Divinity (STL) • Higher Diploma in Pastoral Liturgy Jeanne took Anne in her arms, carried her home to her When Jeanne was twenty-five she left Cancale for St. • Master’s Degree in Theology (MTh) (two-year) • Higher Diploma/Diploma in Pastoral Theology own lodgings and placed her in her own bed, while she Specialising in …….. • Higher Diploma in Theological Studies* Servan and took a position in the local hospital of ‘Le herself moved up into the attic. * Moral Theology The Higher Diploma in Theological Studies is a one-year part-time Rosais’. Here she witnessed the terrible suffering of * Systematic Theology evening course. It caters for graduates of disciplines other than Theology. others, especially the poor and the elderly. Surely this was * Biblical Theology * The Higher Diploma in Theological Studies is recognised by the “The two lines of Jeanne’s vocation, the human and the God way of presenting his CALL and VOCATION to Jeanne. * Pastoral Liturgy Department of Education and Skills as entitling teachers holding divine, join together to become one … There is no turning * Pastoral Theology Department-recognised degrees and teacher-training qualifications to • Master’s Degree in Liturgical Music (MLM) teach up to 15 hours’ Religious Education per week in a voluntary back … The limits of her little room have just exploded, • Taught Master’s in Christianity, Human Rights and secondary school. “GOD WANT ME FOR HIMSELF” together with those of her heart. They have been thrown Society (one-year) * Some postgraduate programmes qualify for the Higher Education open to embrace the world.” • Taught Master’s in The Bible and Its Worlds (one-year) Grants scheme and tax relief where applicable. These words rang true in the winter of 1839. In her spare time Jeanne would visit the poor and assist them as best OPEN DAYS: Last Friday and Saturday in November annually Continued on pg. 59 (same dates and venue as NUI Maynooth)

Further information on courses may be obtained from: The Admissions Office Telephone: +353 -1- 708 4772 Pontifical University Fax: +353- 1- 708 3441 St Patrick’s College E-mail: [email protected] Maynooth, Co. Kildare Web site: www.maynoothcollege.ie The Missions Handbook 57

Pontifical University.indd 1 1/31/14 1:25 PM Knock Airport.pdf 1 2/11/14 12:18 PM

Parish of .3(:.6> Tubbercurry & Cloonacool And so Jeanne took Anne in her arms, carried her home to her own lodgings and placed 4(5*/,:;,9 30=,97663 ,(:;40+3(5+: Tubbercurry/Cloonacool her in her own bed, while she herself moved up into the attic.

)09405./(4 365+65:;(5:;,+ is a small rural parish in South )90:;63 365+653<;65 Sligo. There are two churches in 365+65.(;>0*2 2(<5(: the parish, Church of St. John, ,05+/6=,5 Evangelist, Tubbercurry which *636.5, was built in 1933 to replace C 403(5 the Old Church of the Sacred Recognition of Jeanne’s life and virtues was officially 36<9+,: 4,+1<.691, Heart and St. Michael’s Church, M Church of St. John recognized by the Church on 13th July 1979 and then )(9*,365( +<)96=502 Evangelist Cloonacool which was built Missionary Y -(;04( on 3rd October 1982 in the presence of 60,000 pilgrims Tubbercurry c. 1853. Already during the lifetime of our foundress -(96 (30*(5;, CM from all over the world, Pope John Paul 11 declared 4(3(.( Jeanne Jugan, we had opened many Homes as *(+0A The community maintains her ‘BLESSED’. We now eagerly await the day of her MY far away as North Africa and the United States. a strong tradition of sport, canonization. Please join your prayers with ours that this CY However, the Congregation became truly 3(5A(96;, athletics and cultural activities. ;,5,90-, will take place in the not too distant future. We will keep CMY In recent years the town of missionary when eight Little Sisters arrived in .9(5*(5(90( the readers of our website informed. K Tubbercurry has twinned with Calcutta on 30th November 1882. the town of Viarmes in France. St. Michael’s Church Cloonacool Prayer to obtain graces through the intercession of A rapid expansion followed, Tubbercurry hosts the oldest Drama Festival in the Blessed Jeanne Jugan. not only in Asia, but also country each March and a Irish Traditional Music With so much choice, Festival each July. The Marist Sisters have served the in Latin America, Australia Jesus, you rejoiced and praised your Father for where will YOU go this year? community in education and in pastoral care for over and the Pacific Islands. having revealed to little ones the mysteries 100 years and continue to work in and around the Others would folow - of the Kingdom of Heaven. We thank you for Scan the QR code with your parish. Many people from the parish have been Republic of the Congo, smart phone for details of For the best deals visit our scheduled flights the graces granted to your humble servant, missionaries in Europe, North & South America, Asia, Kenya, Nigeria, Benin, Australia and Oceana. Blessed Jeanne Jugan, to whom we confide South Korea, Samoa, our petitions and needs (here mention your Hawkston Hall.pdf 1 2/12/14 12:23 PM with the most recent requests). Father of the Poor, you have never being the Philippines in refused the prayer of the lowly. We ask you, 2005). therefore, to hear the petitions that she presents THREE MONTH RENEWAL COURSES 2014 to you on our behalf. Jesus, through Mary, your An excellent opportunity for personal and spiritual renewal for religious, clergy and laity Mother and ours, we ask this of you, who live and “With hearts opened wide, SUMMER: 28 April – 24 July 2014 | AUTUMN: 8 Sept – 4 Dec 2014 reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit now and our missionary communities forever. RETREATS 2014 will adapt themselves to the Lenten Week Retreat Landscapes of Prayer 17 – 21 March Margaret Silf Amen. customs of the country, learn its language and Lenten Weekend Retreat I can do all things (St Paul) 28 – 30 March Fr Daniel O’Leary Holy Week Following Jesus in Holy Week 14 – 20 April Fr Ciaran O’Callaghan CSsR traditions and, in sincere dialogue, discover A graduate of the Pontifical Biblical Inst. Rome and Trinity College Dublin. A prayerful reflection on the key Gospel texts from the final week of Jesus’ life. with joy and respect the riches that God has C Full Holy Week Liturgy 6-Day Directed Retreat 26 July – 2 August distributed to all peoples.” M Fr Maurice O’Mahony CSsR, Sr Carol Mouat OP & Sr Jackie Smith SP Y Preached Retreat Fullness of Life 30 Aug – 5 Sept Fr Maurice O’Mahony CSsR (Constitutions of the LSP) CM 5-DAY COURSES SUMMER 2014 MY Our Story as a Source of Spirituality 4 – 9 May Fr Nick Harnan MSC CY The Beginning of the 11 – 16 May Fr Denis McBride CSsR For further details of all Stress Management / Prayer & Eucharist 25 – 20 May Mr P Strong / Fr M P O’Mahony CSsR CMY Courses, Retreats & Living Pathways 1 – 4 June Margaret Silf K The Death & 15 -20 June Fr Denis McBride CSsR Weekends Today The Spirituality of True Self Esteem 22 – 27 June Fr Jim McManus CSsR Please contact: Paul, A Neglected Voice 29 June – 4 July Fr Joseph O’Hanlon The Secretary, The Little Sisters are in Contemporary Moral Dilemmas 6 – 11 July Fr Mark Miller CSsR Hawkstone Hall, Marchamley, 31 countries on 5 continents... Christ – An Unfinished Portrait 13 – 17 July Fr con Casey CssR Shrewsbury, SY4 5LG, UK REFLECTIVE WEEKENDS 2014 Tel 01630 685 242 Fax Making a Good Lent 7 – 9 March Fr Maurice O’Mahony CSsR 01630 685 565 Listen to God in Silence 4 – 6 April Sr Jackie Smith SP email: [email protected] A Retreat for Those who live Alone 23 – 25 May Sr Carol Mouat OP Show me Your Path, O Lord 20 - 22 June Sr Jackie Smith SP www.hawkstone-hall.com Exploring Dreams in Prayer 11 -13 July Sr Carol Mouat OP The Missions Handbook 59 Redemptorists Nuns Irish Retreat Centres

Ardfert Retreat Centre Corrymeela Community Emmaus Ardfert, Co. Kerry Corrymeela Centre Ennis Lane, Lissenhall We the Redemptoristine Nuns are an enclosed contemplative community of religious women. Our T: (066) 7134276 5 Drumaroan Road Swords, Co. Dublin life is centred around the , the F: (066) 7134867 Ballycastle, BT54 6QU T: (01) 870 0050 Eucharist, personal prayer and contemplatives. Our monastery is in the heart of Dublin and plays a E: [email protected] T: +44 (02820) 762626 F: (010 840 8248 pivotal role in the local community life of the area. Local W: www.ardfertretreatcentre.ie F: +44 (02820) 762770 E: [email protected] people join us for the daily celebration of the Eucharist, Christ in All hearts meditation and Evening Prayer. Our Life is enclosed, E: [email protected] W: www.emmauscentre.ie which is to say we remain within the grounds of the Ards Friary Retreat W: www.corrymeela.org se Patrician Brothers monastery, apart from the world, but holding the world were founded by in our heart in prayer. The Monastic day is passed Creeslough, Letterkenny Ennismore Retreat Centre Bishop Daniel Delany in prayer, work and recreation. The needs of other Co. Donegal Dominican Retreat Centre Ennismore ， ， people in the world are our great concern. As Cloistered in Tullow Ireland Religious we make Altar Breads as a service to the Church T: (074) 913 8909 Tallaght Village Montenotte, Cork ， on the 2nd February 1808 but also depend on the sale of the Altar Breads for the E: [email protected] Dublin 24 T: (021) 450 2520 financial upkeep of the Monastery and the continuation of our life. We also make personalized candles and W: www.ardsfriary.ie T: (01) 404 8189 / 404 8123 F: (021) 450 2712 write icons. We are a group of women who try to bring F: (01) 459 60 80 Tel：045 431475 God’s love to each other in Community and to the world Nass Road, Newbridge, in our outreach via webcam on www.rednuns.com Avila Carmelite Centre E: [email protected] Esker Retreat Centre

Co. Kildare. CHRIST Bloomfield Avenue W: www.goodnews.ie St. Patrick’s Esker www.patricianbrothers.com Email: [email protected] COMMUNITY Morehampton Road Athenry, Co. Galway COMPASSION Dublin 4 Dromantine Retreat & T: (091) 844 007 T: (01) 643 0200 Conference Centre E: [email protected] F: (01) 643 0281 Newry, Co. Down W: www.eskercommunity.org E: [email protected] BT34 1RH W: www.ocd.ie T: +44 (028) 30 821964 Emmanuel House Of T: +44 (028) 30 821963 Providence Ballintubber Abbey W: www.dromantineconference.com Clonfert, Ballinasloe Claremorris, Co. Mayo Co. Galway T: (094) 903 0934 Drumalis Retreat and T: (057) 915 1552 Church of F: (094) 903 0018 Conference Centre F: (057) 915 2957 E: [email protected] 47 Glenarm Road E: [email protected] W: www.ballintubberabbey.ie Larne W: www. emmanuelhouse.ie St. Finbarr South Ballyvaloo Retreat Centre BT40 1DT Glanaulin (The South Chapel, Cork) Blackwater, Enniscorthy T: +44 (028) 28272196 /6455 De La Salle Pastoral Centre Co. Wexford F: +44 (028) 28277999 141 Glen Road T: (053) 913 7160 E: [email protected] Belfast BT11 8BP This Church is located on the south side of the River Lee, just off the F: (053) 913 7020 W: www.drumalis.co.uk. T/F: +44 (028) 90 501932 South Mall on Dunbar Street. E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: www.ballyvaloo.ie W: www.delasalleretreat.org It is the oldest Catholic Church in Cork City (1766) and it is ‘the mother Church’ of the other south side Churches.

Nano Nagle lived here from 1718 to 1784 and founded the Presentation Sisters in 1775 to promote formal education of the poor.

Mary Aikenhead also lived here from 1798 to 1812 and founded ‘The Irish Sisters of Charity in 1815. The famous sculpture of the ‘Dead Christ’ by John Hogan(1800-1858) lies under the main altar.

The Missions Handbook 61

Church of St. Finbarr South.indd 1 2/9/14 8:47 PM Clonmacnoispress and The New Evangelisation Trust 2 HALF PAGES Missions Handbook advert.pdf 1 2014/2/23 13:45:38

Iona Institute.pdf 1 2/12/14 1:26 PM Irish Retreat Centres Collooney (Kilvarnet) is a rural parish in the Diocese of Achonry. The boundaries of the parish date from 1978, Glencomeragh House Iona Centre Marianella when a larger parish called “Ballysadare & Kilvarnet” Kilsheelan, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary St. Columcilles 75 Orwell Rd, were divided. The present T: (052) 613 3181 Knocklyon, Dublin 16 Rathgar, Dublin 6 parish comprises the ancient parish of Kilvarnet and part of F: (052) 613 3636 T: (01) 494 3712 T: (01) 406 7100 the ancient parish Ballysadare. Church of St. Fechin E: [email protected] F: (01) 494 3877 F: (01) 492 9635 There are two churches in & St. Lassara, Ballinacarrow W: www.glencomeragh.ie E: [email protected] E: [email protected] C the parish – Church of the W: www.knocklyonparish.ie/iona W: www.marianella.ie

Assumption in Collooney, M which was consecrated in Glendalough Hermitage 1861 and the Church of St. Y Centre I.O.S.A.S. Centre Marie Reparatrice Fechin & St. Lassara in Ballinacarrow, which was CM Laragh, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow Derryvane, Muff, Co. Donegal Retreat House dediicated iin 1904/1905, MY T: (087) 935 6696 T: (074) 938 4866 Laurel Hill Avenue, Limerick situated approximately 5 [email protected] F: (074) 938 4866 (061) 312 561 miles south of Collooney. CY E: T: W: www.glendaloughhermitagecentre.ie W: www.celticprayergarden.com E: [email protected] There are 3 schools in the CMY parish, Mary Immaculate Girls NS & St. Joseph’s Boys K NS in Collooney and St. Glendalough Tearmann La Verna Retreat Centre Mercy Centre Fechins NS, Ballinacarrow. The Spirituality Centre St. Brendan’s Drive Mercy Sisters work in and Rossnowlagh around the parish. Glendalough, Co. Wicklow Co. Donegal Coolock, Dublin 5 T: (01) 848 7259 Cloonamahon, which is in the T: (0404) 45208 T: (071) 985 2572 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] parish, was a former Passionist Church of the E: [email protected] Monastery, now a Residential W: www.tearmann.ie W: www.sistersofmercy.ie Care Home for people with Assumption, Collooney W: www.lavernaretreat.comwww. C intellectual disability. Glenstal Abbey M Margaret Aylward Centre Monastery of St. Catherine Murroe, Co Limerick Y for Faith and Dialogue of Siena (061) 621 000 T: Holy Faith Convent The Twenties, Drogheda CM (061) 386 328 F: Glasnevin, Dublin 11 Co. Louth MY E: [email protected] T: (01) 797 9364 T: (041) 983 8524 CY W: www.glenstal.org E: [email protected] E: [email protected] CMY W: www.holyfaithsisters.org W: www.dominicannuns.ie K Holy Hill Hermitage Skreen, Co. Sligo Manresa Jesuit Centre Mount St. Anne’s Retreat and T: (071) 916 6021 of Spirituality Conference Centre F: (071) 916 6954 426 Clontarf Road Killenard, Portarlington E: [email protected] Dollymount, Dublin 3 Co. Laois. W: www.spirituallifeinstitute.org T: (01) 833 1352 T: (057) 862 6153 F: (01) 833 1002 F: (057) 862 6700 Iona Carmelite Retreat E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Centre W: www.manresa.ie W: www.mountstannes.com Termonbacca, Derry, BT48 9XE T: +44 (02871) 262 512 Mount Melleray Abbey F: +44 (02871) 373 589 Cappoquin W: www.ocd.ie Co. Waterford T: (058) 54404 W: www.mountmellaryabbey.org

The Missions Handbook 63 Irish Retreat THINK AHEAD Centres Myross Wood Retreat Centre Purgatorium Sancti Patricii St Anthony’s Retreat Centre Myross Wood Lough Derg Dundrean, Burnfoot Leap, Co. Cork Pettigo Co. Donegal T: (028) 33118 Co Donegal T: (074) 9368370 THE GIFT OF PEACE OF MIND FOR YOU F: (028) 33793 T/F: (071) 986 1518 E: [email protected] AND YOUR FAMILY E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: www.columbacommunity.com What if the day comes when you are unable to make W: www.myrosswood.ie W: www.loughderg.org decisions for yourself ? Sisters of La Retraite, What if you are suddenly taken ill, are involved in an Nano Nagle Centre St. Aidans Monastery of 2, Distillery Road, Galway accident, or lose your ability to communicate ? Ballygriffin, Mallow, Co. Cork Adoration T: (091) 524 548 Do your closest family or friends really know your T: (022) 26411 Ferns E: [email protected] wishes? F: (022) 26953 Co. Wexford W: www.laretraite.ws Think Ahead is resource to guide people in discussing E: [email protected] T: (053) 9366634 and recording their wishes around end of life. W: www.nanonaglebirthplace.ie E: [email protected] The Christian Renewal Centre Think Ahead was developed by the Forum on End of W: www.staidans-ferns.org 44 Shore Road Life in Ireland – an initiative of the Irish Hospice Think about what kind of care you would like; where you would like to be cared for; the kind of funeral you would wish to Orlagh Retreat Centre Rostrevor, Newry Foundation – following a year-long public consultation have; your views on organ donation; where you have put your Old Court Road St. Benedicts Priory BT34 3ET on issues around dying, death and bereavement. k ey legal documents…. Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 Retreat House T: +44 (02841) 738492 Talk about those wishes with those close to you and with T: (01) 495 8190 The Mount E: [email protected] Think Ahead is a citizen-led tool which encourages professionals such as a GP, solicitor or accountant. you to: Think, Talk and Tell Tell people about the decisions you have made. F: (01) 493 0987 Cobh, Co. Cork W: www.ywamrostrevor.org E: [email protected] T/F: (021) 481135 You may also wish to record those wishes and review W: www.orlagh.ie Thornhill Centre them on a regular basis. Shekina Sculpture Garden Think Ahead form and useful guidance and resources are 121 Culmore Road available on www.thinkahead.ie Our Lady Of Bethlehem Abbey Glenmalure, Co. Wicklow Derry, BT48 8JF 11 Ballymena Road, Portglenone T: (0404) 46128 T: +44 (028) 7135 1233 Ballymena, Co. Antrim E: [email protected] E: [email protected] BT448BL W: www.shekinasculpturegarden.com W: www.thornhillcentre.com T: +44 (028) 25 821211 E: [email protected] Star of the Sea Retreat Tobar Mhuire Retreat & W: www.bethlehemabbey.com Centre Conference Centre Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo Downpatrick Street Peace in Christ Retreat T: (071) 917 6722 Crossgar, Co. Down Today Servites, also known as the Friar Servants of Mary, are House E: [email protected] present among people of many cultures throughout the world. BT30 93A Sion Road W: www.staroftheseacentre.ie They were founded by seven merchants in Florence around T: +44 (028) 44 830242 1233. Moved by the Spirit they committed themselves to witness Kilkenny E: [email protected] Stella Maris Retreat Centre the Gospel in fraternal communion and to be at the service of T: (056) 772 1054 W: www.tobarmhuirecrossgar.com God and all people. E: [email protected] Carrickbrack Road W: www.ossory.ie Baily, Howth, Co. Dublin T: (01) 832 2228 Servites challenge themselves and the world to be different through: E: [email protected] W: www.stellamarisretreats.ie

Compassion: As Mary stood at the foot of the cross of Jesus, so Servites try to stand at the foot of those countless crosses where men and women suffer today - suffer through loneliness, sickness, isolaaon, fear, oppression, unemployment, injussce.

Fraternity: Through prayer, community life and discernment, Servite Friars strive to be brothers to all as Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary, came to be brother to all of us. If you feel you may be called to serve as a Servite Friar, living as a pilgrim in the insecurity of this world please contact:

Vocations Director, Servite Priory, 25-27 Hermitage Downs, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16. For further information go to www.servitefriars.org The Missions Handbook 65 Transformation for change

We live in uncertain times, a period of adjustment, and I believe that it is a privilege to live in this world of ours today. It offers people of Faith opportunities to speak about values, about integrity, about hope and to put those values into action on behalf of those who are poor and marginalized.

The Volunteer Mission Movement was founded in Caritas Est, as integral human development was one of 1969 in answer to the call of the second Vatican the key concepts of Populorum Progressio. That is also Council for to become more involved a key VMM principle. It is a very simple one; authentic with the life and work of their Church. development “must foster the development of each person and of the whole person.”

he inspiration for the founding of VMM was Pope The people who join with VMM today are invariably Paul’s VI Letter, Populorum Progressio, confident in their social and political responsibilities, but Twritten in 1967. That encyclical redefined the often less certain with how they should express their Church’s way of looking at itself and the world. One of the religious beliefs. To some degree this is related to a key phrases used in the encyclical was that “development collapse in religious practice throughout many western is the new name for peace. Pope Paul VI later established European countries. The paradox we find is that with those an organization of the Church, the Pontifical Commission who join VMM, their spirituality is vibrant and strong but “Iustitia et Pax”, who’s primary task was to challenge they are more comfortable expressing their faith in action Catholic communities, lay and non lay, to foster social through international development rather than religious justice between nations and work towards a more equitable practice. society. The concept of authentic human development, later reiterated by Pope Benidict in his encyclical, Deus Continued on pg. 68

The Missions Handbook 67 Transformation for change

In many respects it sometimes seems that development also offer Christians a unique chance to break out of still maintain their ethical values and faith despite their is the new religion. Ironically it is precisely that focus our parochial constraints and embrace our Faith anew. VMMs vocational disaffection with religion. In this climate, VMM plays a on the marginalised and poor which is at the heart of To do this however requires not only a new language, unique role in facilitating the participation of many who the message of Christianity and the message of hope but a new mindset and a confident faith. Faith tensions presence and faith are disaffected in their struggle to reach out to the poor from the Prophet Isaiah quoted from Luke’s Gospel, that often become apparent during social and cultural change and marginalised and put their faith into action. the blind will see, the oppressed will be set free! That such as today. Paul was essentially the first missionary based approach is the “Good News” which international development and the hostile world he faced is probably not that positively impacts The current UN estimates show the number of people tries to bring through its programmes and through the dissimilar to one we in live today; social unrest, disbelief, going hungry everyday has increased to155 million while Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) uncertainty, materialism and cynicism. Where then are the upon the welfare of almost 100 million survive on less than €2 a day. When coalfaces of mission today? They exist on the pavements these facts are contrasted with other statistics which About 30 years after Jesus Christ was crucified St Paul of our streets, in our homes, on our TVs, in an overly the global poor. show that global spending on armaments rose last year wrote an extraordinary letter to the Thessalonians, a secularised society which challenge us to be relevant. The to €1.3 Trillion, or 12 times the total development aid small basic Christian community in Greece who were biblical lions of Daniels den for modern missionaries are budget of the rich OECD countries, it shows where human losing hope and undergoing a major crisis of Faith. In probably the laity who react in anger and despair at their priorities still lie and the challenge to organisations his letter he stated that if you truly believe the message collapsing Church…a place where they once felt safe… like VMM. As part of VMMs civil society advocacy work, of Jesus, and have faith, you will live forever! Although protected. Of course, they, we, the laity, also share in the United Nations agreed framework of the “The Millennium we continue to promote social justice and the concept there are many valid ways of interpreting that message, blame, for the Church is not a place where we should be Development Goals” (MDG’s) as the vehicle for our work of global citizenship through speaking and working it remains today the central article of faith of Christianity. safe. It is not an asylum for refuge; it should be a centre over the next few years. We have also re emphasised the within local parishes at home and abroad. We recruit of hope and action. We all need to step out of our comfort value of , the best kept secret professionally qualified lay personnel, prepare them for Throughout the world today there is a crisis of belief zones and invent a new language; one that is relevant of the Catholic church in that it is often quoted but overseas placements with selected partners and engage and it is eroding faith. The Church is rightly condemned for our mission today, a language that is understood by seldom practiced effectively. In that regard and support them on their return through our Offices in for its failures to protect the most vulnerable members the people living in the world of today. Such a mission is quite literally a God send ! VMM remains a Faith Based England & Wales, Scotland and Ireland. of its church, children. The Catholic Church is in danger however requires a Faith of the type which Paul had; a Development Movement committed to poverty reduction of losing its connection with the and for Faith that is palpable and visible in our lives, and in our strategy policies which will significantly impact upon the many the crisis at the heart of the Church is exacerbated actions. lives of the global poor. by the Vatican’s duel position of wielding temporal The greatest challenge today however is the Such policies form common cause with many international (political) power as a Diplomatic State and at the The concept of integral human development is a key oldest one of all, not to proselytise or to try and same time representing itself as the Centre of spiritual VMM principle, one that is easy to articulate but very donors, governments and NGOs and fits comfortably within change others,but first to change ourselves. authority for the global Christian community. Depending difficult to practice. Like Christianity itself, it is subscribed VMMs Christian ethos of working with all, irrespective of upon the crisis, the diplomatic language of “Sovereignty” to by millions worldwide but not always visible in our politics or religion. VMMs vocational presence and faith and not the Christian language of “Faith” becomes the lives or our actions. While the dynamics of life has based approach positively impacts upon the welfare of Contact us and join in the work. dominant mode of communication. This is a cancer at changed profoundly since VMM began in 1969, the value the global poor. Indeed such volunteer “vocationalism” is a You can make a difference. the very heart of the Church which Pope Francis seems of faith and spirituality still holds real attraction for real resource in a world where religion has been devalued to moving towards rectifying in his pastoral focus upon increasing numbers of people, particularly those who are through the failures of autocratic church leadership and Dr. Vincent Kenny. CEO – VMM faith practice rather than preaching theology. While the drawn to VMMs development approach. In our current where the numbers of religious, who previously undertook extraordinary gifts of communications that permeate our Strategic Framework 2014-2018, we emphasised our so much vocational work as their witness to faith, has lives today create a metaphorical Tower of Babel, they commitment to a global agenda in our decision to use the significantly declined in Europe. Many people however

68 The Missions Handbook The Missions Handbook 69 Sisters of the Irish Ursuline Union NGO’s The Ursuline Sisters were founded by St. Angela Merici in Italy in 1535. Ireland In 1957 the first four Irish Ursulines set out for Kenya, East Africa. “They continued the work of Angela who led them strong and sure in teaching, healing, working with and caring for God’ s poor” Maisie McNabola Today Kenyan Ursulines continue the charisma of Angela.

Ursulines of the Irish Union [email protected] www.ursulines.ie

A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an organization that is neither a part of a government nor a conventional for-profit business. Usually set up by ordinary citizens, NGOs may be funded by governments, foundations or businesses. Some avoid formal funding altogether and RETREATS IN THE SUMMER are run primarily by volunteers. NGOs are highly diverse ...... group of organizations engaged with a wide range of The team at St Mary’s welcome groups or individual private retreats any time activities, and take different forms in different parts of SEVEN WEEK SABBATICAL IN SCOTLAND of the year. Bring a group for a short stay or retreat day at the monastery. the world. Some may have charitable status, while others For those who are looking for a course with a clear 21st-25th July may be registered for tax exemption based on recognition focus on personal renewal through prayer. of social purposes. Others may be fronts for political, It is possible to simply attend one or two specific Healing in the Spirit weeks, for those with limited time available. Fr Jim McManus and Miss Marie Hogg religious or other interest groups. Full Course Dates: 20 October - 4 December 2014 3rd-6th August 26 May - 9 July 2015 3 Day Silent Retreat Fr. Tom MacCarte Self Esteem Week Action from Ireland Action Aid Ireland Africa Centre 134 Phibsborough Road 172 Ivy Exchange 9c Abbey Street Lower 26 - 30 oct 2014 & 31 May - 4 June 2015 11th-18th August Retreat for Religious Dublin 7 Granby Place Dublin 1 Healing Week Fr. Dan Baragry T: (01) 882 7581 Parnell Square T: (01) 865 6951 2 - 6 Nov 2014 & 7 - 11 June 2015 F: (01) 882 7576 Dublin 1 F: (01) 865 6951 “Celebrate our Call” E: [email protected] T: (01) 878 7911 E: [email protected] Celtic Week PARISH MISSIONS W: www.afri.ie F: (01) 878 6245 W: www.africacentre.ie 9 - 16 Nov 2014& 14 - 21 June 2015 E: [email protected] Redemptorists are happy to discuss W: www.actionaid.ie Transition renewals in 2014/15. 16 - 20 Nov 2014 & 28 June 2nd July 2015 Use the contact details below.

Gospels 23 - 27 Nov 2014 & 21 - 25 June 2015

The Missions Handbook 71 NGO’s ireland

Aidlink Centre for Global Education Concern Worldwide Friends of Londiani (Ireland) Gorta Irish League of Credit Unions Unit 34 9 University Street 52-55 Lower Camden Street 4 The Crescent 12 Herbert Street International Development Greenmount Office Park Belfast Dublin 2 Millbrook Dublin 2 Foundation Harold’s Cross BT7 1FY T: (01) 417 770 Millroad T: (01) 661 5522 33-41 Lower Mount Street Dublin 6 T: +44 (2890) 241879 F: (01) 475 7362 Midleton F: (01) 661 2627 Dublin 2 T: (01) 473 6488 T: +44 (2890) 241879 E: [email protected] Co. Cork E: [email protected] T: (01) 614 6700 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: www.concern.ie T: (021) 462 1748 W: www.gorta.ie F: (01) 614 6701 W: www.aidlink.ie W: www.centreforglobaleducation.com E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Development Perspectives W: www.friendsoflondiani.com Habitat for Humanity Ireland W: www.ilcufoundation.ie AIDS Partnership for Africa Child Aid Ireland - India Barlow House, Narrow West Street Unit F, The Liffey Trust Centre Kimmage Manor Carmichael House Drogheda, Co. Louth Galway One World Centre 117-126 Upper Sheriff Street Irish Red Cross Whitehall Road North Brunswick Street T: (041) 980 1005 2nd Floor Dublin 1 16 Merrion Square Dublin 12 Dublin 7 E: [email protected] 76 Prospect Hill T: (01) 521 0033 Dublin 2 T: (01) 406 316 T: (01) 443 3578 W: www.developmentperspectives.ie Galway F: (01) 629 9648 T: (01) 676 5135 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] T: (091) 530 590 E: [email protected] F: (01) 661 4461 W: www.apa.ie W: www.childaidireland-india.ie Foundation Nepal E: [email protected] W: www.habitatireland.ie E: [email protected] 14 Fiontarlann Teo W: www.galwayowc.com W: www.redcross.ie Alan Kerins Projects ChildFund Ireland Westside Enterprise Park Haven Unit 6 22 Windsor Place Galway The Malthouse, South Block Kerry One World Centre Ballybane Enterprise Centre Dublin 2 T: (091) 446 864 Grand Canal Dock 5 Friary Lane Galway T: (01) 676 0172 W: www.foundation-nepal.org Dublin 2 Tralee T: (091) 750 057 F: (01) 676 2125 T: (01) 681 5440 Co. Kerry E: [email protected] E: [email protected] F: (01) 686 4868 T: (066) 718 1358 W: www.alankerinsprojects.org W: www.childfund.ie E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: www.kade.ie Amnesty International Ireland Children in Crossfire Irish Council for International Sean MacBride House 2 St. Joseph’s Avenue Students (ICOS) Misean Cara 48 Fleet Street Londonderry 41 Morehampton Road 563 South Circular Road Dublin 2 BT48 6TH Dublin 4 Kilmainham T: (01) 863 8300 Northern Ireland T: (01) 660 5233 Dublin 8 E: [email protected] T: +44 (871) 269898 F: (01) 668 2320 T: (01) 405 5028 W: www.amnesty.ie F: +44 (871) 266630 E: [email protected] W: www.miseancara.ie E: [email protected] W: www.icosirl.ie Camara Education W: www.childrenincrossfire.org National Youth Council of Ireland Chapelizod Industrial Estate Irish Family Planning Association 3 Montague Street Dublin 20 Christian Aid -Ireland (IFPA) Dublin 2 T: (01) 652 2665 17 Clanwilliam Terrace Solomons House T: (01) 478 4122 E: [email protected] Grand Canal Dock 42A Pearse Street, Dublin 2 F: (01) 478 3974 W: www.camara.ie Dublin 2 T: (01) 607 4456 E: [email protected] T: (01) 611 0801 F: (01) 607 4486 w: www.nyci.ie CBM Ireland F: (01) 661 0949 E: [email protected] M:TEK Building E: [email protected] W: www.ifpa.ie Nuture Africa Knockaconny W: www.christian-aid.ie 157 Thomas Street Monaghan Irish Missionary Union (IMU) Dublin 8 Co. Monaghan Comhlámh 29 Westland Squar T: (01) 542 4177 T: (047) 71820 12 Parliament Street Pearse Street F: (01) 847 3839 F: (047) 71822 Dublin 2 Dublin 2 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] T: (01) 478 3490 T: (01) 492 3326 W: www.nutureafrica.ie W: www.cbm.ie F: (01) 4783 738 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: www.imu.ie W: www.comhlam.org

72 The Missions Handbook The Missions Handbook 73 Knock Airport.pdf 1 2/11/14 12:18 PM NGO’s ireland

.3(:.6> Oxfam Ireland Sightsavers Vita 4(5*/,:;,9 30=,97663 ,(:;40+3(5+: Portview House 70 Georges Street Equity House )09405./(4 365+65:;(5:;,+ 4 Thorncastle Street Dun Laoghaire Upr Ormond Quay, Dublin 7 )90:;63 365+653<;65 365+65.(;>0*2 2(<5(: Ringsend Co. Dublin T: (01) 873 4303/4

,05+/6=,5 Dublin 4 T: (01) 663 7666 F: (01) 873 4325 'Jesus Christ, 'Our Lady of Knock, *636.5, T: (01) 672 7662 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] the King ‘ Queen of Ireland' F: (01) 672 7680 W: www.sightsavers.ie W: www.vita.ie C 403(5 36<9+,: 4,+1<.691, E: [email protected] M )(9*,365( +<)96=502 W: www.oxfamireland.org Suas Educational Development Y -(;04( -(96 (30*(5;, 10-12 Hogan Place Voluntary Service International (VSI) CM offer our spiritual and temporal support *(+0A 4(3(.( Plan International (Ireland) Dublin 2 30 Mountjoy Square to everyone involved in the Catholic Missions. MY 126 Lower Baggot Street T: (01) 662 1410 Dublin 1

CY We are a Lay Catholic Order of Knights (men), 3(5A(96;, Dublin 2 E: [email protected] T: (01) 855 1012 ;,5,90-, Oblates (women) and Servants (men and women) CMY T: (01) 659 9601 W: www.suas.ie F: (01) 855 1012 formed in 2009. The mission of our Order is 'to .9(5*(5(90( K F: (01) 659 9602 E: [email protected] work for the Reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ over E: [email protected] Tearfund Ireland W: www.vsi.ie the world and over every nation'. We have recently published ' The Divine Rights of Jesus Christ' W: www.plan.ie Ulysses House (Volumes 1-4). Thank you to all who are working 22-24 Foley Street Voluntary Service Overseas (Ireland) for the continued growth of our Order worldwide. With so much choice, Progressio Ireland Dublin 1 2nd Floor, 13-17 Dawson Street For more information on our Order and other Publications, Days of Prayer and Meetings where will YOU go this year? CORI T: (01) 878 3200 Dublin 2 visit our website: www.orderofnewknighthood.com Bloomfield Avenue E: [email protected] T: (01) 640 1060 or email us on: [email protected] Scan the QR code with your Donnybrook W: www.tearfund.ie F: (01) 679 5064 or send request in writing to our postal address: smart phone for details of For the best deals visit Order of New Knighthood, P.O. Box 49, our scheduled flights Dublin 4 E: [email protected] Milltown D.S.U., Monaghan, T: (01) 614 4966 The Hope Foundation T: www.vso.ie E: [email protected] Silverdale Grove W: www.progressio.ie Ballinlough Volunteer Missionary Movement Cork (VMM) Self Help Africa T: (021) 429 2990/429 2688 The Priory Kingsbridge House F: (021) 429 3423 John West Street, Dublin 8 1st Floor E: [email protected] T: (01) 679 6542 17-22 Parkgate Street W: www.hopefoundation.ie E: [email protected] Dublin 8 W: www.vmminternational.org T: (01) 677 8880 Trócaire F: (01) 677 9782 Maynooth War on Want NI E: [email protected] Co. Kildare 1 Rugby Avenue W: www.selfhelpafrica.org T: (01) 629 3333 Belfast, BT7 1RD F: (01) 629 0661/6290658 T: +44 (01232) 232064 SERVE In Solidarity Ireland E: [email protected] F: +44 (01232) 328019 Scala W: www.trocaire.org E: info:waronwantni.org Castle Road T: www.waronwantni.org Blackrock UNICEF Ireland Cork 33 Lower Ormond Quay World Vision Ireland T: (021) 435 8800 Dublin 1 Garland House F: (021) 435 8804 T: (01) 878 3000 Rathmines E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Dublin 6 W: www.serve.ie W: www.unicef.ie T: (01) 498 0800 F: (01) 498 0801 E: [email protected] W: www.worldvision.ie

The Missions Handbook 75 Our English word ‘mission’ comes from the Latin word for ‘sending’ the future of mission

he term mission is loaded with meaning for me and probably for you too. What do we mean when we say mission? This needs to be understood if there is a future for mission. Our English word “mission” comes from the Latin word for “sending.” Being a Christian includes being sent into the world as a representative of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Tme, I am sending you.” The mission Christ gave to the church is very clear. After His death and resurrection he commanded his disciples to share the gospel which is the good news about Jesus Christ. He said in Matthew’s Gospel, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew28:19-20).

76 The Missions Handbook TheThe MissionsMissions HandbookHandbook 7777 In the Great Commission our mission is to proclaim the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and Christ as the only way to abundant, eternal life. strength and to love your neighbour as yourself”. If we truly love God we will love our neighbours and we will We are to reach out to all nations. want to serve them and we should be concerned for their total welfare, which is the well being of their soul, body and community. Our concern should then lead to practical programmes of evangelism, relief and development. We should not just prattle and plan and pray, like that country vicar to whom a homeless woman turned for help, and who promised to pray for her. She later wrote this poem and handed it in to a regional officer of Shelter:

I was hungry; and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger,

I was imprisoned; And you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release.

I was naked; And in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.

I was sick; And you knelt and thanked God for your health.

I was homeless; And you preached to me the spiritual shelter of the love of God.

I was lonely; And you left me alone to pray for me.

You seem so holy, so close to God But I am still very hungry....and lonely....and cold.

By this He was referring to as people groups without It is my conviction that mission has a a Gospel witness. however, is not future because it is God’s mission and limited to overseas ministry. While believers should faithfully support those who go to various parts of we are his co-workers. He calls us to the world to share the good news of Jesus Christ, all spread the good news of Jesus Christ Christians have a mission to share Christ on the home and to bring hope to different people front with family, friends, co-workers, and the community. The Christian mission of sharing Christ does not end wherever they are. there. The commission was to make disciples – not immature believers. Thus, Christian mission involves not only evangelism but also discipleship.

This Great Commission applies to Christians today. Rather The early Christians motivated by their love to reach out than a burden, obeying His call brings joy and reward in to those in need preached the Word of God. In Acts 6:1-7, heaven. We should fulfil our mission not out of duty but we read the story of the ministry of Jesus’ disciples. out of love. In the Jesus tells us to “love Continued on pg. 80

78 The Missions Handbook The Missions Handbook 79 They were overwhelmed trying to teach the word of God The world is the arena for mission in which we are to when there were such immense physical and economical live and love, witness and serve for Christ. Jesus said, needs of their people going unmet. They rallied together “More than anything else, put God’s work first and do and appointed seven helpers to take care of the needs what He wants. Then the other things will be yours as of the people. The result? “The word of God spread.” As well.” The secret of being blessed by God is to participate you continue the history of mission through the ages, in His mission for the world - to be a part of what He is Christians have founded schools, hospitals and hostels for accomplishing on earth. Fulfilling the mission you were the outcast. Later they abolished the slave trade freeing made for will require you to abandon your agenda and slaves all over the world. They protected children from exploitation in factories and from ritual prostitution. They care and show the compassion of Jesus to the leprosy

sufferer and those afflicted with HIV/AIDS. They get alongside junkies and stay with them as they go through a period of withdrawal. They set themselves against racism and political oppression. They care for the blind, the deaf, the widow and the orphan. They get involved in the inner city, the slums and the ghettoes. They seek in whatever way they can to serve the poor. The list could go on and on and we are called to serve this mission. We cannot do everything but God calls us to serve where we are gifted. adjust to Gods agenda. David prayed, “Turn me away from It is my conviction that mission has a future because it is wanting any other plan than yours.” Your mission has a God’s mission and we are his co-workers. He calls us to future and begins the moment you say “yes” to God in spread the good news of Jesus Christ and to bring hope to obedience, faith, and love. different people wherever they are. We are to go out into the world which God created, the world into which Christ Trevor Stevenson came and into which He now sends us. That is where we belong.

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